On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the country star, 48, made a surprise appearance on Today with Hoda and Jenna during the famed host’s final week on the series — and he brought up a hilarious memory about Kotb, 60, who has been known to have a “crush” on him.
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The moment came to mind for Shelton after Jenna Bush Hager, 43, announced, “Hoda was in love with you for many years. I think she’s let that go, but she still adores you and I know you adore her.”
The “Ol’ Red” artist then recalled an encounter with Kotb at a party in Nashville years prior following Bush Hager’s comments.
“It’s funny, too, that you talked about Hoda saying I was her first love or whatever. I did run into her in Nashville one time, off camera, it had nothing to do with television or anything. And I thought it was going to be our moment,” Shelton laughed.
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He continued: “But she completely ran away from me. I mean, she ran away from me like totally afraid of me.”
The story shocked Kotb, who gasped and said, “Wait, wait. What?!”
Shelton then replied, “Yes, remember at the number ones party I was like, ‘Hoda, you’re here!’ And you were like, ‘I gotta go!’”
The broadcaster/journalist then said she’s “not leaving parties early anymore” once she retires.
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Hager then asked Shelton if something romantic could have happened: “Would you have shot your shot? Would you have leaned in and given her a little— I mean this was before Gwen [Stefani], let’s just put that out there.”
The former Voice coach — who has been married to Stefani, 55, since 2021 — told Hager to “slow your roll a little bit.”
“I’m just saying I saw Hoda in Nashville and she ran away from me at a party,” he said as the co-hosts laughed. “That’s all I’m saying.”
After a nearly 18-year run on Today, Kotb is stepping away from the news desk.
Her last day will be Friday, Jan. 10,
