Rita Ora has seemingly confirmed stepping in for Kelly Rowland during a recent appearance on the ‘Today’ show.
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Here’s What Rita Ora Said
On Friday, February 16, Ora took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a photo message with fans. In the caption, she shared her excitement over co-hosting ‘TODAY with Hoda and Jenna’ on Thursday.
Additionally, the singer thanked the show’s staff for being “so lovely and kind” while explaining that they had “two minutes to prepare.”
Well, this happened! We had two minutes to prepare ahhh, thank you @HodaAndJenna
for asking me to co-host the show… Everyone was so lovely and kind, I had SO much fun doing it!!… Love to everyone that tuned in, maybe we should do more??!!!” she wrote in the post’s caption.
Well, this happened! We had two minutes to prepare ahhh, thank you @HodaAndJenna for asking me to co-host the show… Everyone was so lovely and kind, I had SO much fun doing it!! 💗💗💗 Love to everyone that tuned in, maybe we should do more??!!! pic.twitter.com/zbf4HGC9va
— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) February 16, 2024
Furthermore, Ora also shared a similar post on Instagram with additional photos and a video.
More Details Regarding Kelly Rowland Reportedly Backing Out
Ora’s posts appear to confirm that she stepped in after Kelly Rowland reportedly backed out of the February 15 appearance. According to a report from Page Six, the singer was expected to co-host the show at 10 a.m. after completing a guest appearance at 8 a.m. to promote her latest film, ‘Mea Culpa.’
The 10 a.m. appearance was intended so Rowland could fill in for co-host Jenna Bush Hager.
However, the outlet reported that Rowland “dramatically walked out” of the NBC studio because “her dressing room wasn’t up to par.”
The move allegedly left Hoda Kotb “scurrying” to find a co-host for the show.
“Kelly and her team were not happy. They did not like the dressing room, so they decided to pull her off the show, leaving [Kotb] without a guest host for the 10 a.m. hour,” an unnamed source reportedly informed the outlet.
A separate anonymous source informed Page Six that Rowland’s alleged actions left the studio “perplexed.”
“She’s beloved at ‘Today.’ She was getting the full hour, and Hoda’s the biggest hype woman on the planet! It made no sense,” they reportedly explained.
The outlet adds that Rowland and her team allegedly sought to relocate dressing rooms. However, because singer Jennifer Lopez was also onsite for a television appearance, that solution didn’t pan out.
An unnamed source, however, did confirm that ‘TODAY’ dressing rooms are allegedly not the most lavish.
“They’re not nice. It’s the oldest building. There are major space limitations, [it’s] not glamorous. It’s not fresh flowers, and candles, and gourmet food. It’s basically [a] white box,” the source reportedly told the outlet.
The Singer Has Yet To Comment On The Alleged Incident
Kelly Rowland has yet to publicly comment on the matter and confirm or deny reports. However, that hasn’t stopped others from weighing in with their opinions.
According to Parade, Bethenny Frankel slammed Rowland for allegedly walking out on the appearance. The reality star reportedly acknowledged that the behind-the-scenes experience on the show isn’t the most glamorous. However, it’s “not about fancy dressing rooms.”
“The makeup area is completely communal,” Frankel reportedly explained. “The food is like, grab a croissant in some plastic and pray for the best. And it’s just not what that’s about. And it’s an honor to be there and to sit down with Hoda.”
Frankel reportedly explained that the appearance “was not the moment” for Rowland to have “diva expectations.”