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It was news to Savannah Guthrie that something was wrong with Kelly Rowland when she interviewed her, two hours before she canceled her guest hosting duties with Hoda Kotb.
“She was lovely. She had no idea, she had no idea that anything was wrong,” Guthrie told Page Six at a book party for his faith-based memoir “Mostly What God Does” on Wednesday.
“He was as sweet, kind and professional as always. “I don’t know what happened behind the scenes,” Guthrie added.
Rowland appeared on the show last week to promote her upcoming Netflix movie, “Mea Culpa.” During the segment, Guthrie teased that Rowland would replace Jenna Bush Hager on “Today with Hoda & Jenna,” but the Destiny Child star curtly responded, “We’ll see.” (Which, in retrospect, was a sign that things were quietly going off the rails.)
Page Six exclusively reported that Rowland pulled out of her guest-hosting duties because the morning show’s dressing rooms were not up to par.
“Kelly and his team were not happy. They didn’t like the dressing room, so they decided to remove her from the show, leaving (Kotb) without a guest host during 10 a.m.,” a source familiar with the situation told us.
Rowland’s representative, Yvette Noel-Schure, had no comment at the time, but later issued a statement on “Entertainment Tonight” that praised her client.
“After 28 years of knowing her, Kelly Rowland remains one of the kindest and most personable people I have ever met and been blessed to represent,” Noel-Schure wrote.
Hotb told the entertainment news show that she was “disheartened” when Rowland left “Today.”
“I love Kelly. We love Kelly. She is one of our all-time favorites and there is no one funnier or classier than Kelly,” she said.
Guthrie also shared her admiration for the star, telling us, “We love her and she will always be welcome!”
As for those dressing rooms, Guthrie (perhaps generously) called them “historic.” “(The ‘Today’ studio facilities are) over 70 years old and we’re happy to be there because it’s kind of hallowed ground. We are honored to be there.” she said.
“We do our best and hope that what we lack in wardrobe style we make up for in our warmth and gratitude when people come to the show,” he said, while secretly hoping for “a dressing room to shine in Studio.” 1A” after the Rowland fallout.
“No one will be happier than us!” Guthrie joked.
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