When Megyn Kelly made her controversial comments about blackface, it sent shockwaves through the Today show family. In the days following her remarks, several hosts stepped forward to voice their concerns. Just before NBC officially pulled the plug on Megyn Kelly Today, Jenna Bush Hager expressed her feelings in an interview, calling Megyn's words “horrifying” and saying they left her feeling deeply saddened.
Speaking candidly with E! News, Jenna, who is 36, explained that the discussion Megyn brought up on air was not what the segment was supposed to be about. She elaborated, "In today's world, and honestly at any point in history, when something comes up that could make someone feel bad, it's not something we stand for—ever. Not then, not now. It was a tough moment for me, and it left me feeling really disheartened." Jenna's words highlighted the emotional toll the incident had on the Today show team and the broader NBC family.
On October 23, during a panel discussion featuring Megyn, Jenna, Melissa Rivers, and Jacob Soboroff, Megyn questioned why blackface costumes are considered racist. "But what exactly is racist? When I was growing up, it seemed okay as long as you were dressing up as a character," Megyn stated on the morning show. Her comments sparked immediate backlash and set off a wave of discussions about race, sensitivity, and cultural awareness in the media.
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Megyn's Apologies and the Fallout
In response to the backlash, Megyn issued two public apologies. The first was a heartfelt email to her colleagues, followed by an emotional on-air apology to viewers. "I realize now that such behavior is wrong, and I sincerely apologize. The history of blackface in our culture is deeply offensive, and the wounds it has caused run deep. I've never been one to focus on political correctness, but I understand now that we need to be more sensitive in this day and age," Megyn wrote in her email. She emphasized the importance of fostering understanding, love, and sensitivity in today's world.
