Jenna Bush Hager was brought to tears by Wynonna Judd‘s kind words on Today with Jenna & Friends.
On Thursday morning, Bush Hager kicked off the show alongside the country star by noting that their “hearts and prayers are with the families” of those in the “horrific plane crash” that took place near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night (Jan. 29).
Judd added, “It just takes your breath away. It really does, because life is so short anyway. It’s like, wow, this hasn’t happened in such a long time. I don’t understand why we’re having to deal with this right now. It’s too much. It’s just too much.”
Bush Hager replied, “It is. And I think our show, what we hope to do, and I’m so thrilled that I get to do it with you, is to bring some joy to all of you that are with us, feeling that same pain. So that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
This prompted Judd to reveal that’s “why” she came on the show, telling Bush Hager, “Last night I didn’t sleep at all because I just have you on my heart.”
“I watch you everyday. I went on my own in 1992, solo, and I think about you so much,” The Judds alum said of when she released her debut studio album, Wynonna. “You’re a mom, you know, and a wife, and I don’t know how you’re doing this.
“But I just want to affirm you and say that being authentic is lonely. And I can imagine you feel that way sometimes,” Judd said. “But I just love you and I appreciate you and I admire you so much.”
Judd’s heartfelt affirmation brought Bush Hager to tears, as she replied, “Oh my gosh!” The “No One Else On Earth” songstress highlighted that Bush Hager’s job “isn’t easy,” though she makes it look that way. Though she admitted she doesn’t “really love live TV” for fear of going “viral for the wrong reasons,” Judd felt she “just had to do this.”
While Bush Hager deemed Judd’s sentiments “so sweet,” Judd continued expressing her admiration for the Today co-host, likening her own experiences of going solo to Bush Hager now “doing this on [her] own” after Hoda Kotb‘s departure.
Bush Hager noted, “I never thought about that, because when you stepped into your own, that must have been a hard time, and also a beautiful time.”
Judd agreed, calling it “exhilarating and terrifying.”
“Well, that’s how I feel,” Bush Hager replied.
“But when the voices are speaking to you, just remember,” Judd advised, proceeding to sing, “Walk through the storm, hold your head up high. And don’t be afraid of the dark. Walk on.”
After an emotional Bush Hager thanked Judd for the “beautiful” message, Judd teased her “goal” was to make her cry.
“Well you did it!” Bush Hager exclaimed. “I actually haven’t cried since Hoda left. I felt like my heart was crusted over, but it’s not.”
Today with Jenna & Friends airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.
