HODA Kotb showed anger when she tried to mop up the mess over Kelly Rowland ditching her co-hosting slot on the Today Show, a body language expert has said.
She claimed that before offering the Mea Culpa star an olive branch after Savannah Guthrie’s interview, the veteran TV host “banged her fists” on the desk.
On February 15, it was reported that Kelly, 43, fled the Today Show after an interview because her dressing room was not up to standard.
Another source later told The Wrap that TV host Savannah's questioning about Beyoncé was the trigger.
Body language expert Judi James said Kelly threw in the towel because Savannah, 52, was “clumsy” throughout coordinating the celebrity chat.
What Ola and James Jordan really ate and did to shed 7st
She said Savannah "missed Kelly's preening" cues and refused to put the Motivation singer on a “pedastal.”
Kelly, promoting her Netflix movie Mea Culpa, was also supposed to co-host after the interview. Jenna Bush Hager was absent.
“Kelly came to the interview with Savannah from a different and new career and life angle,” James told The U.S. Sun.
“She holds a starring role in a new movie.
“The first issue and cue that Savannah missed was that she wanted to show off her new level of success.
“This would have placed her on a pedestal, which Savannah did not seem to want to do.
“Kelly tried hard to show Savannah through her gestures at the start of the interview.
"She wanted to set the tone and to come at it like a movie star.
“She stroked her hands down her thighs as though bracing herself and mentally prepping.
“Kelly raised her hands to smooth both sides of her already super-smooth hair in a preening gesture.
I'm a 'time traveler' - the 'worst case scenario that could kill us all'
“Guthrie missed the first few subtle nods that Kelly was in a new role.
"Kelly wanted to promote her movie rather than sit and gossip like a couple of bored housewives.”
James said Savannah failed to meet Kelly’s needs despite her many years in the media.
A clip of Kelly performing on the plaza with Destiny's Child in 2001 was played.
“What do you think when you look at that?” Savannah asked the singer.
“That was so long ago, I’m 43 now,” Kelly responded.
“When old footage of Kelly came on, she looked uncomfortable again,” said James.
“Now she is in her forties, and to her, Savannah lacked empathy.
Kelly showed a frozen smile and said she was proud of Beyoncé.
Judi James
“The next part was the most tense when Savannah switched to Beyoncé and asked after her career.
“This was the clumsiest part but came after accumulating other failings.
“Kelly showed a frozen smile and said she was proud of Beyonce.
“This was her signal for Savannah to move on.”
Kelly appeared on The Sherri Show on Monday, and James claimed that this interview went markedly better.
“In contrast, this interview looks like a masterclass in rapport,” said James.
“Sherri stuck to the right theme, and it looked seamless. The mood was more relaxed from the start.
"Kelly’s body language with Sherri signaled that she was happy to be more chatty.
“Kelly appeared looser here with no close-down signals.
“The fun part of the chat was all based around her. There was no apparent need for a subject re-boot or avoidance signals.”
On Tuesday, back on the Today Show, Hoda, 59, broke her silence.
She told viewers that she wanted Kelly to come back any time.
James said Hoda showed “muti-layered” body language before throwing a “peace” sign to Kelly.
“Hoda was left without a co-host at the last minute, which, in TV terms, is often taken personally,” James added.
“Even if the person letting you down has COVID-19 or been mown down by a bus.
Hoda began with her chin raised and eyes closed.
Judi James
“Hoda seemed keen for Kelly to come back on the show.
“But her body language during this segment looked complex, annoyed, and multi-layered.
“She began with her chin raised and eyes closed. Her hands were held up in a breast-cupping mime.
"This can also be seen as miming a breastplate as if she would be starting a battle.
“She looked into the camera with her mouth in an Oxbow smile.
“The corners of her mouth were pulled down rather than raised.
"This was a more congruent smile of happiness or pleasure.
“Hoda banged her fists on the table, which could show internal anger over the matter.
"This was not a soft gesture. It showed she might be doing battle with her team at this point.
“Hoda leaned back and performed a sideways V sign and a peace gesture at the camera.”
