Savannah Guthrie shared an emotional behind-the-scenes moment with her “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hager during her return to the morning show.
An eyewitness exclusively told Page Six that Bush Hager waited for Guthrie to enter the outdoor Rockefeller Plaza area and their co-anchors Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Carson Daly.
“Jenna hugged Savannah when she walked beside her and then made a sad face,” the insider told us of the embrace, which Page Six exclusively obtained photos of. “They hugged for about a minute. It looked like Savannah was crying when they embraced.”
The source further explained that Guthrie spent time greeting the approximately 75 fans, who held up signs for the anchor outside NBC’s headquarters.
“Savannah walked around and took selfies with some of the fans,” the source said. “When she first walked out, she smiled. She looked like a trooper.”
The eyewitness added that the plaza “had a lot of security,” with fans having to go through metal detectors.
On Monday morning’s show, Guthrie and Hager walked out hand-in-hand as the crowd cheered.
“We are back at 8:30 on this beautiful Monday morning, and it’s a special Monday morning for us and for this crowd as well, because we are welcoming back our North Star,” Melvin said on-air. “Come on out here! Come right out!”
Tearing up, Guthrie responded to the cheering crowds, “These signs are so beautiful. You guys have been so beautiful. I received so many letters, so much kindness, to me and my whole family. We feel it, we feel your prayers, thank you!”
Earlier in the morning, the NBC anchor told viewers on her first day back, “Good morning, welcome to ‘Today’ on this morning. We are so glad you started the week with us and it is good to be home.”
Despite Guthrie’s composure on air, a body language expert said she appeared to be in a “heightened emotional state.”
Behavioral scientist Dr. Abbie Maroño previously explained to Page Six, “She didn’t look fully relaxed into it though, her shoulders stayed slightly held and there was less spontaneity in her reactions than you would typically expect from her.
“When the body is under emotional strain, you often see reduced variability like this because attention is split between performing and regulating.”
Guthrie initially returned to “Today” last month, sitting down for her first TV interview with Hoda Kotb. In a devastating moment, the journalist revealed she blamed herself for her mother’s disappearance.
Page Six was the first to report that Guthrie would be returning to “Today” in April — two months after her mom, Nancy, was reportedly abducted from her Arizona home.
Authorities released video and photos of a masked individual breaking into the 84-year-old’s home to the public on Feb. 10.
While authorities have detained and questioned several people, no one has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
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