Hoda Kotb Shows Off Her Singing Abilities In Surprise Performance With Longtime Friend Shania Twain

Jul 13, 2023

American broadcast journalist and television personality Hoda Kotb is famous for co-anchoring NBC News’s morning show, Today. Born to Egyptian parents, Kotb has excelled in her career and won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide with her incredibly charming personality. Besides being great at her job and charming, Kotb is also a loving friend. 

Evidence of Kotb’s loving friendship abounds thanks to her friendship with her Today co-anchors, such as Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager and Al Roker. Another of Kotb’s friends is award-winning and record-breaking songstress Shania Twain. 

Twain is one of the best-selling music stars of all time and is currently country music’s best-selling female artist in history. Thanks to her career success, Twain has become one of the music genre’s most beloved stars. She is also known as the Queen of Country Pop. Some of Twain’s best songs include “You’re Still the One,” “Any Man of Mine,” and “From This Moment On.” 

Kotb and Twain have been friends for a long time and regularly keep in touch with each other. However, neither of them would have expected their friendship would lead to them singing together in one of the world’s grandest venues. Yet, that was exactly what happened on July 11, 2023, when Kotb climbed the stage at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

After presenting Twain with an incredible honor, Kotb received the surprise of a lifetime as Twain asked her to duet with her. For 14 seconds, the friendly duo sang the lyrics to Twain’s “You’re Still the One.” It led to a moment that would stay in Kotb’s mind forever. Keep reading to relive the lovely experience. 

Before joining Twain on stage to present her with the special honor, Kotb interviewed the legendary songstress for NBC’s Today. Twain reflected on her musical career and confessed that she feels freer now than ever. She explained: 

“It does feel like I'm having the time of my life. I'm so enjoying it, absorbing it. I'm really looking at the people — really looking at them, absorbing them.”

Twain also said she is now more appreciative than ever in her career. She noted that she celebrates loving her voice and how she sings. Hence, it satisfies her to sing out and express herself through her voice without any fear or reservation. 

Twain also made Kotb over. The singer dressed the journalist up for her on-stage appearance. Kotb donned a brown sequin off-the-shoulder dress, which she accessorized with gold necklaces. The outfit was one of Twain’s tour dresses. After Kotb wore the dress, Twain was amazed and commented:

“Look how pretty it is with her hair. She’s going to be gorgeous.”

However, Kotb was shy and laughed and said:

“I’m going to pee my pants, seriously.”

Eventually, the seasoned broadcaster chose to pair the dress with a pair of brown pants. 

Twain is currently on her Queen of Me tour and stopped at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on July 11, 2023. Despite being the cynosure of all eyes, the beautiful singer spared some minutes to introduce her special friend, Kotb. Twain introduced Kotb to her teeming fans with these words: 

“Before this next song, I want to introduce someone I've loved for many years. We've been good friends for a long, long time. We text about all kinds of things staying in touch, but there's nothing like being in person together. Please welcome to the stage, my good friend Hoda!”

After Kotb stepped on stage with the crowd cheering her on, she presented Twain with a double diamond platinum record of her 1997 album, “Come on Over,” which now holds the record for the highest-selling album by a female artist in the history of country music. While accepting the remarkable honor, Twain joked, “20 million albums are heavy.” 

Afterward, she announced she would reissue the record-breaking album and would drop a new version of the Long Play (LP) on Aug. 25, 2023. She said: 

“You guys are the first to know. I’m very excited about it. It's really amazing how music can go this full cycle and live through generations. And that's, of course, all because of you (and) thanks to you.”

Then came the moment for Kotb and Twain’s duet. The country music superstar told her friend:

“Hoda, after all these years of knowing you, we’re finally going to sing together.”

The women then proceeded to sing the chorus of “You’re Still the One,” with Kotb showing off her incredible singing prowess, much to fans’ delight. Kotb was overwhelmed by the special duet and said afterward: 

“As I left that stage, I knew that moment, that magic, would stay with me for a lifetime. It was just so incredibly moving.”

Kotb also raved:

“There are moments you think about happening, friends who you're going to spend a moment like that with. And she's so generous and kind, I don't even know what to say. I’m touched and I’m moved, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

The excited journalist shared a video of the moment on her Instagram page and captioned it: 

“Ok— this happened. Nobody like @shaniatwain @thegarden.”

Kotb’s fans took turns gushing over her duet with Twain. There is no doubt this moment will live long in their minds.

Do you love Hoda Kotb and Shania Twain? Did you know they were longtime friends before now? What do you think of their duet at Madison Square Garden? What are your thoughts on Kotb’s singing? Which musician would you like to share the stage with? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends, family members, and fellow Shania Twain and Hoda Kotb fans!