Savannah Guthrie shared an emotional behind-the-scenes moment with Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager during her return to the morning show.
A witness exclusively told co-anchors Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones, and Carson Daly that Bush Hager was waiting for Guthrie to enter the Rockefeller Plaza area outside.
“Jenna hugged Savannah as she walked next to her and then looked sad,” a source said of the hug. The photo was obtained exclusively by Page Six. “They were hugging for about a minute. During the hug, Savannah appeared to be crying.”
The source further explained that Guthrie spent time greeting about 75 fans holding anchor signs outside NBC’s headquarters.
“Savannah was walking around and taking selfies with some fans,” the source said. “When she first came out, she was smiling. She looked like a police officer.”
The eyewitness added that fans had to pass through metal detectors and the plaza was “closely guarded.”
On Monday morning’s show, Guthrie and Hager appeared holding hands as the audience cheered.
“We’re back at 8:30 on this beautiful Monday morning. It’s a special Monday morning for us and for this audience because we welcome the return of the North Star,” Melvin said on air. “Now get out of here! Get out of here now!”
Through tears, Guthrie responded to the cheering crowd, saying, “These signs are so beautiful. You all were so beautiful. I received so many letters, so many kind feelings for me and my entire family. We feel it, we feel your prayers, thank you!”
Early in the morning, the NBC anchor told viewers on his first day back: “Good morning. Welcome to ‘Today’ this morning. I’m so happy to be starting your week with us. I’m so happy to be home.”
Ms Guthrie appeared calm on the air, but a body language expert said she appeared “emotionally heightened”.
Behavioral scientist Dr. Abby Marogno previously explained to Page Six:
“When the body is under emotional stress, this reduction in variability is often due to attention being divided between performance and coordination.”
Guthrie first returned to “Today” last month and sat down for his first television interview with Hoda Kotb. In a shocking moment, the journalist revealed that he was responsible for his mother’s disappearance.
Page Six first reported that Guthrie would return to “Today” in April. It comes two months after her mother, Nancy, was reportedly kidnapped from her home in Arizona.
Authorities released footage and photos to the public on February 10 of a masked person breaking into the 84-year-old’s home.
Authorities have detained several people and are questioning them, but no one has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
