(L-R) Savannah Guthrie and Kelly Rowland.Photo:John Lamparski/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty
John Lamparski/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty
There’s no bad blood between theTodayteam andKelly Rowland.
After PEOPLE confirmed that the formerDestiny’s Childmember — and scheduledTodayguest host — walked off set last week due to dressing room conditions, co-anchorSavannah Guthriesaid she completely understands why everything went down the way it did.
“What can I say? Yes, our dressing rooms need a little TLC,” Guthrie, 52, told PEOPLE at the launch party for her new book,Mostly What God Does, at Peoplehood in New York City on Wednesday. “But I have to say, we have a historic studio that has been around for 70-plus years. It’s a small space and it’s not that easy to renovate. So, you know, I totally get it.”
“I’ve actually gotten to see a lot of green rooms lately and there are some phenomenally beautiful ones,” she continued. “But I hope for what we lack in green room decor we make up for in the warmth and gratitude we have for the guests who come on because it means a lot to us. Let’s call it intimate. We’ll call it intimate. Cozy.”
Hoda KotbandJenna Bush Hager, who were also in attendance for Guthrie’s big day on Wednesday, also told PEOPLE that the 43-year-old musician has an open invitation to return to the morning show.
“I’ve been texting back and forth with Kelly and having a couple of phone calls,” Kotb, 59, said. “So, I mean, I love her. I think she’s one of the gentlest, kindest people that we’ve met.”
Jenna Bush Hagerchimed in to match the tone, saying the “Motivation” songstress is “so lovely.”
Bush Hager, 42, also hopes for another visit from Rowland — and some behind-the-scenes upkeep. “She’s invited whenever. And our dressing rooms do need work,” she added.
In the meantime, the Today gang are celebrating the launch of Guthrie’s book, which managed to break Amazon as it debuted on Tuesday.
“I can’t believe it! Overwhelmed and amazed. I can’t believe it. And I’m so grateful,” Guthrie said of her book breaking Amazon. “The ‘buy’ button is working again, and that’s good. And I’m just so touched because I really just think it shows that people want toconnect and have these conversations about faith. The fact that God loves them. I mean, it’s pretty, pretty simple in the end, and that really touches me.”
(L-R) Jenna Bush-Hager, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb are pictured attending the ‘Mostly What God Does’ book presentation on February 21, 2024 in New York City.Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Bush Hager said it “feels great” being able to support Guthrie at Wednesday’s event. “We’ve known that she’s been working on this for a bit now and she’s been nervous about it,” she continued. “She’s taken out all of these personal, amazing stories to inspire others, put them into a book and we’re here just to tell her how proud we are.”
Adding to that, Kotb said, “Imagine putting your heart in a book and handing it out, and you’re like ‘This is me!’ I think it’s beautiful, inspiring, funny, poignant. It’s got all the things. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. So, we’re really proud of her.”
Rowland was supposed to take up the co-host chair onToday with Hoda & Jennalast week, butRita Orastepped in last minute to fill the position. “Kelly walked out because she and her team didn’t like her dressing room,” a source told PEOPLE. “Rita Ora agreed to fill in at the last minute. Many people at the show, inside and outside of the show, were impressed with how great she was.”
Rowland’s visit was part of her press tour in promotion of her new Netflix film,Mea Culpa.
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Mea Culpapremieres Friday on Netflix.
source: people.com
