Savannah Guthrie Called Out by Fans Over ‘Disrespectful’ Interview
Savannah Guthrie Called Out by Fans Over ‘Disrespectful’ Interview
Savannah Guthrie surprised fans when she was a no-show on Friday’s episode of Today, after being ripped online for her “disrespectful” interview with Kelly Rowland.
The 52-year-old was replaced at the news desk on Friday by Craig Melvin, who sat alongside co-host, Hoda Kotb, to deliver the headlines.
Hoda announced — “Savannah is off this morning,” only 24 hours after the host was hit with backlash by fans who believed that she had crossed a line during her interview with Rowland.
Rowland appeared on the daytime show to promote her new Netflix movie, “Mea Culpa,” but Guthrie initially refused to shift from discussing Rowland’s former Destiny’s Child partner, Beyonce’s new music.
“What do you think about your friend Beyoncé?” Guthrie asked the actress.
“I’m so proud of her,” Rowland replied, but Guthrie continued to press for more details.
She asked — “I know, but were you surprised and what do you think about it?”
Rowland, who both starred in and produced the Netflix film, repeated — “I’m so proud of her. So happy for her.”
Guthrie finally picked up on cues that Rowland wanted to discuss her current project, but fans did not let the host off the hook.
Fans took to X to sound off on the awkward exchange and to slam Guthrie.
One viewer fumed — “Very disrespectful to ask as accomplished entertainer as @KELLYROWLAND about Beyoncé every freaking time she comes on your show. You didn’t ask J-Lo about Puffy or A-Rod or In Living Color.”
Another fan chimed in — “Kelly Rowland was on the Today show this morning and she was not having them wanting to ask her about Beyoncé doing country music lol. Her reaction was hilarious to me. She’s there for her movie and her stuff. She handled it w/grace when asked but I get why she’d be annoyed.”
Guthrie is currently on tour promoting her new book, “Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere.” She visited Texas on Thursday, and spoke about her latest project to an audience that included former President George Bush and former first lady, Laura Bush. She traveled to Oxford Mississippi on Friday and moved on to appearances in Tennessee, before traveling to South Carolina on February 18.
Rowland made headlines last week after she ditched a gig on the morning show over a subpar dressing room, per Page Six.
On Thursday, the R&B singer was scheduled to appear during the 8 a.m. hour of “Today” followed by a stint as a guest host for Jenna Bush Hager on the fourth hour of “Today with Hoda & Jenna.”
Rowland reportedly withdrew at the last minute, leaving Kotb in a frantic search for a substitute.
“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,” a source told the outlet.
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