Jenna Bush Hager felt nothing but love from Salma Hayek during her first interview for Today.
During Hayek’s appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends on May 13, the television host, 43, recalled the support she received from the 58-year-old actress — who is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit — when she interviewed her after landing a role on the NBC morning show in August 2009.
“I want to say something to you and you probably don’t even remember this or know this, but I interviewed you for the very first interview when I got this job,” Bush Hager shared.
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From left: Jenna Bush Hager and Salma Hayek on ‘Today’
“Yes, I remember that,” Hayek responded before teasing, “My very first interview, Jenna, you were not born. But, yes, I remember.”
“I just thought of this right now,” Bush Hager added. “When I got this job, it was a taped piece, and I remember leaving and thinking she just showed me such kindness and such grace.”
Hayek reassured that she had nothing to worry about, saying, “But, you were magnificent.”
“You were magnificent and you made me feel so good in a time when I was nervous about starting something new in my career,” Bush Hager responded as she got emotional.
“She was nervous and she was so great she didn’t need to be nervous,” Hayek shared.
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When guest host Erin Andrews asked what she remembered from the interview, Bush Hager said, “Salma was there with other people and I only remember you. I don’t even remember who else was there.”
“And she held her own,” Hayek concluded.
Since then, Bush Hager took over as co-host of the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb following Kathie Lee Gifford’s exit in April 2019.
On Jan. 13 of this year, she launched Today with Jenna & Friends following Hoda Kotb’s last day on Jan. 10. She announced that a rotating list of celebrity guests would be stepping in to help fill the empty slot.
“What’s so cool about it is that it really does feel like we’re pulling up chairs for all different types of people,” Bush Hager told PEOPLE at the time. “Yes, we have actors, but we also have comedians and people in media. And I think that really is what we’re hoping to have: a total representation of who watches our show and something for every viewer.”
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Today with Jenna & Friends airs weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on NBC.
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