Jenna Bush Hager, beloved co-host of the Today show, has opened up about why her daughter, Mila, won’t be making any more appearances on the show for the time being. 

In a recent conversation with her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, for Parade magazine, Jenna discussed the release of their third children’s book, I Loved You First. 

During the interview, Jenna also touched on family matters, including a lighthearted yet firm reason behind her daughter’s current ban from the Today show.

Though Jenna made it clear that the word “ban” was used in a joking manner, she explained that there were consequences for Mila’s actions during a previous appearance on the show. 

Mila, who is about to turn 12, became the center of attention when she shared a family secret on air that her mom says “should have stayed a secret.” 

This slip-up led to what Jenna called a “yearly ban” from appearing on the show again.

A Family Secret Exposed

The incident in question took place during a December 2022 segment with Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb. During this appearance, Mila, eager to share stories about her family, spilled some personal details that left her mother a little embarrassed. As Mila candidly revealed, her mom didn’t wear underwear—a tidbit that Jenna had not intended to share on national television.

Jenna recalled the situation with a laugh, but admitted that it was inappropriate for Mila to share that particular “family secret” on a live broadcast. Despite the slip-up, Mila, who was only 10 at the time, expressed regret for her blunder but continues to ask her mom if she can return to the show.

“Mila wanted to co-host, yeah, she wanted to co-host, but she’s had at least a yearly ban for her last appearance,” Jenna shared, laughing at the memory. “She spilled this family secret, which should have stayed a secret. Therefore, she’s still like, ‘Can I please come on and co-host with Dad?’ Like, she still asks.”

Balancing Family and School Life

While Jenna acknowledged that Mila still expresses interest in co-hosting with her dad, Henry Hager, the Today host made it clear that her daughter’s focus should be on her education, not television appearances. “Henry’s thought is, she’s in 6th grade, she should be at school,” Jenna explained. “She shouldn’t be missing 6th grade to come and co-host.”

Jenna’s stance reflects her commitment to ensuring that Mila has a balanced childhood, where school and academics come first. As much as Mila may be a star in her own right, Jenna emphasized that her daughter’s role as a student should remain a priority for now.

The Possibility of a Summer Return

Though Mila is on a “ban” for the time being, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. During the conversation, Aunt Barbara offered a possible solution, suggesting that Mila might be able to return to the Today show “at the end of summer.” This sparked a smile from Jenna, who was open to the idea. “This summer, yeah, when she’s not in school. Good thinking,” she responded, hinting that Mila could potentially make a comeback when school is out and she has more flexibility in her schedule.

Despite the ongoing ban, it seems like the Hager family is not completely ruling out the possibility of Mila returning to the Today set in the future. It may just take a little time and a lot of coordination to balance family life, school, and career aspirations.

The Hager Family Dynamic

Jenna and Henry are proud parents of three children: Mila, 6-year-old Poppy, and 4-year-old Hal. While Mila might not be gracing the Today stage anytime soon, her younger siblings have yet to make an appearance on the show, and Jenna’s approach to involving her children in her work remains cautious. The Hagers clearly value the importance of keeping their family life private, at least when it comes to live broadcast moments that could get a little too personal.

As for Mila, it seems she may have to wait a little longer before joining her mom on the show again, but Jenna’s openness about the situation shows that they’re navigating this with love and humor. Whether or not Mila ever returns to co-host the Today show, it’s clear that her mom will continue to support her in whatever endeavors she chooses, whether that’s in front of the camera or not.

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