Things got a little awkward on Today with Hoda & Jenna when a dating expert told Hoda Kotb to step out of her “comfort zone.”
Hoda, 59, and co-host Jenna Bush Hager invited matchmaker Devyn Simone into the studio on Tuesday morning to help them solve some dating dilemmas from viewers watching at home.
But Hoda began to question one of Devyn’s “intimidating” tips about how to meet people in real life.
When a fan of the show asked for advice on how to “meet guys organically,” Devyn admitted she gets that question “a lot.” Hoda added, “Also, it’s a lot of younger people who, because they’re used to living their lives on apps and stuff, have a hard time doing something in person with a stranger.”
Devyn then advised, “So, the first thing we’re going to do is remember to just go far. So, find common ground, ask a question, and be realistic. Find common ground… when you see this person, are you at a coffee shop? Are you both frequenters? Did they order something that looks like what you like?”
Things got a little awkward on Tuesday when Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager talked about dating dilemmas
Hoda eventually questioned dating expert Devyn Simone’s ‘intimidating’ advice
She continued, “And then be real. Your hair doesn’t have to be perfect, your smile doesn’t have to be perfect. Being authentic is really important, and if you’re feeling insecure, practice in the mirror.”
Hoda, however, wasn’t convinced it would be that easy, telling Devyn, “I think it takes some courage to walk up to a complete stranger in line at the coffee shop and say, ‘Hi, are you here? Is this your regular spot?’ It can be intimidating, especially since she seems to be a little withdrawn.
“Maybe there’s something where it’s just about meeting people?” the mother of two suggested, while Devyn fired back, “But you have to step out of your comfort zone, Hoda!”
“Really? But I mean like…” Hoda replied as Jenna finished the sentence for her, saying, “Yeah, I know what you mean, like singles night at the bar,” before asking Devyn, “Do they still have those?”
Devyn didn’t seem fazed, replying, “They do, but I… go… but I do other things too,” before laughing awkwardly when Jenna suggested, “Or like join a sports team?”
Devyn was more in favor of that and replied, “Yeah! Or a running club or something would be really great.”
Jenna then said, “But I also think, what’s the worst that can happen? They’re not your person. What’s the best that can happen? They are. Say to yourself, ‘Who cares?’ You’re never going to see him again!”
Hoda’s comments on dating come less than a month after she revealed the “top relationship complaints” she’s received from men in the past.
Hoda simply responded, “Really?” when Devyn told her to “step out of her comfort zone.”
Devyn didn’t seem impressed when Jenna Bush Hager suggested that women could attend a “singles night” at a bar
The 59-year-old TV host was previously engaged to financier Joel Schiffman, but they split in 2022
Hoda and Jenna were discussing Glen Powell’s recent comments about how he’s not “chasing love” but would “welcome it with open arms” if it came along, when the TV host, who recently hinted that she’s still single, decided to share some details about her own personal life.
“I think sometimes love comes when you’re not looking for it,” she told Jenna. “It’s like when you’re on the hunt, when you make it your thing, sometimes you miss it because you’re so busy looking for it.
“But I think what he’s really saying is, ‘I’m very busy, I have a busy life and you have to be a special kind of person to be in this life.’”
The TV host, who split from her fiancé Joel Schiffman in 2022, continued: “And I think it’s hard when you’re with a busy person, because we’re both busy people and one of the main complaints about relationships that I get is, ‘I don’t have enough time. I need more time,’ and I get it, because your life is sliced into a pie.”
The duo then discussed a recent article that claimed that good places to meet a romantic partner, besides an app or a bar, include dog parks, an alumni event, or playing on a sports team.
Hoda laughed at the claim, saying, “I think sometimes women try to put themselves in places where men would be, like a sports bar… ‘let’s go hang out with your girlfriends,’ even though you’re not really interested in that, but you go there and think, ‘I’ll meet someone cool there and that’ll be fun.’
“I think it’s good, but I also think you have to meet them while you’re doing something you really enjoy. Because after a while you’re like, ‘Do you want to go back and watch the Steelers?’ and you’re like, ‘No!’”