Photo: Getty Images
Wynonna Judd made Jenna Bush Hager cry during a heartfelt moment on TODAY with Jenna & Friends on Thursday morning (January. 30).
Judd appeared as a guest co-host on the morning show, joining Bush Hager as a newly-solo host after Hoda Kotb’s departure earlier this month. Bush Hager started with heartfelt remarks to the families of those impacted by a collision Wednesday night (January 29) between an American Airlines passenger plane and a black hawk helicopter by Ronald Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C. Officials said Thursday they do not believe there are any survivors as recovery operations continue at the Potomac River. It was not immediately clear what caused the collision.
“It takes your breath away. It really does, because life is so short anyway,” Judd said as she and Bush Hager spoke about the tragedy. “It’s too much. It’s just too much.”
Bush Hager said she hoped TODAY with Jenna & Friends could help bring viewers some joy, particularly as many people are “feeling that same pain.” She added that she’s “thrilled” to do that with Judd, who shared why she agreed to appear on the show.
“Last night I didn’t sleep at all because I just have you on my heart,” Judd told Bush Hager. “I watch you every day. And I went on my own in 1992, solo, and I think about you so much. And 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. But I just love you, and I appreciate you, and I admire you so much.
“I really do because this is hard. This isn’t easy. We make it look easy, but the truth is we’re paddling like heck underneath the waters, right? And making it look good from here [the waist] up, and it’s just amazing. I had to do this show. I don’t really love live TV because I’m always afraid I’m gonna go viral for the wrong reasons. But I just had to do this. I just admire you for doing this on your own. I just — I have you on my heart because I did it myself. I went out on my own. I stepped into my own. It was exhilarating and then terrifying. When the voices are speaking to you, just remember,” Judd continued as she began to serenade Bush Hager: “Walk through the storm/ Hold your head up high/ And don’t be afraid of the dark/ Walk on. …That’s what you’re doing. I wanted to make you cry. That was my goal, too.”
The Judds artist succeeded. Bush Hager said she hadn’t “actually cried since Hoda left,” and wiped her eyes. Watch the emotional moment here, and watch the duo weigh in on “social dilemmas” below.