Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager to Reunite for NBC’s “And Toast to 2025!” New Year’s Eve Special
NBC’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration will feature a familiar duo this year, as Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager are set to cohost the two-hour primetime special, “And Toast to 2025!” This marks the first television project for the pair since Kotb’s departure from Today in January.
The special, announced by NBC on Monday, December 22, promises a look back at “the most unforgettable, buzziest and inspiring moments of 2025,” alongside a star-studded lineup of celebrity guests. According to NBC, the broadcast will air on wednesday, December 31, at 10:30/9:30c.
This reunion is particularly notable as it represents the first time Kotb and Bush Hager will appear together on screen since Kotb’s exit from Today. While Kotb has made subsequent appearances on the show,she and Bush Hager had not collaborated on a new project until now.
The guest list for “And Toast to 2025!” is extensive, featuring prominent figures from across NBCUniversal’s platforms. NBC News personalities scheduled to appear include Blayne Alexander, Andrea Canning, Dylan Dreyer, Willie Geist, Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt, Tom llamas, Josh Mankiewicz, Craig Melvin, Keith Morrison, and Al Roker. The special will also include appearances from NBC Sports & Olympians Maria Taylor, Lindsey Vonn, and Johnny Weir, as well as Telemundo’s Nicole Suarez.
Beyond the news division, stars from popular NBC shows will join the celebration. These include Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila (American Ninja Warrior), Howie Mandel (America’s Got talent), David Alan Grier (St. Denis Medical), Belissa Escobedo (Happy’s Place), Melissa roxburgh and Sara Garcia (The Hunting Party), Josh McKenzie and patrick Sulmonui (The Hunting Party), Kristin Chenoweth and Jennifer Lyon (Stumble), and Chris Hardwick (The Wall).
Peacock’s talent will also be represented, with appearances from Jabari Banks (Bel Air), Amaya Espinal and Ariana Madix (Love Island USA), Tom daley (The Celebrity Traitors UK), chris Sullivan (Devil in Disguise), Chelsea Frei (the Paper), and Tiffany Haddish (Tiffany Haddish Goes Off).Additional guests include Ethan Slater, Brian Baumgartner, Jim Gaffigan, Lil Rel Howery, Nate jackson, Carson Kressley, Loni Love, Chris Mann, Bobby Moynihan, Tom Papa, Rob Riggle, and Wanda Sykes.
This year’s “And Toast to 2025!” is the 11th New Year’s Eve special produced by NBC News and Dateline. liz Cole will serve as senior executive producer, with Paul Ryan as executive producer, Charmian Ling as senior producer, and Justin Smith as supervising producer.
Following the New Year’s Eve special, Kotb will continue her collaborative efforts with NBC, cohosting the 137th Rose Parade on Thursday, January 1, alongside Al Roker and Craig Melvin. The parade will be broadcast on both NBC and Peacock.
Simultaneously occurring, Jenna Bush Hager will continue to lead the fourth hour of Today, now titled Today With Jenna & Sheinelle, with sheinelle Jones as her permanent cohost starting on January 12. Kotb, since leaving Today, has focused on personal projects, including the release of her book, Jump and Find joy, and the launch of her wellness company, Joy 101.
