Hoda and Jenna took a burlesque class during New Orleans trip
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Hoda Kotb is back in New Orleans and living her best life with "Today" show cohost Jenna Bush Hager.
Why it matters: The two women are marking five years of hosting the show together and say they couldn't think of a better place to celebrate.
Between the lines: New Orleans & Co., the city's tourism arm, sponsored the trip. The financials weren't disclosed.
The big picture: NBC's "Today" show will highlight all things New Orleans on Friday as French Quarter Fest gets rolling.
- Thursday's show was aired live from New Orleans as well.
- Drew Brees was a special guest, along with chef Nina Compton, the Original Pinettes Brass Band, burlesque queen Trixie Minx and the Big Easy Roller Derby skaters.
- Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield and Jamal Batiste also performed.
Fun fact: They did a class with Trixie Minx and then performed, with Hager popping out of a cake.
- Hager's burlesque name is Kitty Bush and Kotb's is Coco.
Driving the news: "Today" filmed both shows Thursday at a stage outside the New Orleans Jazz Museum with a live audience.
- New Orleanians showed up in costumes and with signs — "I need a Hoda hug" — to express their love for the hosts (mainly Kotb).
- Hager enthusiastically acknowledged this is Kotb's turf and cheered her on with "Hoda knows everyone" and "Hoda is in heaven."
Context: Kotb is a former WWL-TV anchor and adopted New Orleans as her second home.
- She visits often and frequently talks about her love for the city on air and on social media.
State of play: They were in town for Wednesday's deluge, and Hager said Kotb was excited because they got to see the real New Orleans.
- They went on an "insane food tour" at Dakar NOLA, Mister Mao and Sun Chong, the two told Axios New Orleans.
- The gumbo dumplings at Sun Chong: "Oh my God, they were sick!," Kotb said.
Zoom out: Hager said she was missing her daughter's play to be at the New Orleans' tapings, but she'll be at another performance this week.
- Eliminating "mom guilt" is part of being a successful working parent, Hager said. "I feel like women need to let that go and do the work the best they can and be a mother the best they can."
- "You have to be where your feet are planted," Kotb said. "When we're working with our kids, we are there. When we're at work, we're at work. It's a 'be here now' thing that I think helps."
Yes, and, "Fall in love with a profession, a purpose," Kotb said, so your children see you enjoy what you do.
What's next: Friday's show airs on WDSU at 10am.
