Even though some people think that journalist Hoda Kotbs and Suni Lee are related to each other, sources confirm that they do not share any family relationship.
The controversy about them being related to each other surfaced after people saw the crazy reaction of Hoda Kotbs to Gymnast Suni Lee’s game at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In the post shared by NBC News, journalists Hoda Kotbs and Savannah Guthrie appeared to be screaming and cheering for Suni Lee, which attracted the attention of the whole audience.
Though they cheered for her throughout the entire game, their reaction to Suni Lee’s receiving the bronze medal was even louder, as Hoda was also whistling.
Further, after watching Hoda Kotbs and Savannah Guthrie’s reaction, Suni Lee raised her arms in the air and issued a mock cheer to imitate them, making people think they might share a close relationship.
However, sources confirmed Hoda Kotbs and Suni Lee are not related to each other, but they share a close friendship.
In interviews, Hoda Kotb revealed the reason for her crazy reaction, saying, ‘We want to be seen!’
After the Olympics, Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles sat down for a conversation with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, where they mentioned how they noticed Hoda and Savannah while competing.
After listening to Suni Lee’s, Hoda Kotb laughingly said, “Because we’re loud. We want to be seen,” while adding that she wanted Lee to know they had gotten her back.
After the game, Hoda Kotb posted photos of Suni Lee from the Olympics on her Instagram page, captioning the post, “Gooooo @sunisalee bronze looks so good on you!!! 3 Olympic medals.”
It is not the first time Hoda, 59, has supported any American Olympian like that, as she also showed support when gymnast Simone Biles won gold at the individual competition on August 1.
Hoda Kotb is really into the Olympic games as she often appears supporting her country in competitions.
Similarly, in her interviews with Today, Simone Biles mentioned Hoda Kotb as the gymnastics Olympic mother, saying, “Hezly, if you need anything, this is Hoda, gymnastics Olympic mother.“
Moreover, In July 2024, Simone Biles took to her Twitter handle, writing, “Our Olympic momma 🤍 we love you so much, Hoda,” with the Today interview video with USATeam, which included Suni Lee, Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera.
Therefore, as Hoda Kotb is the mother of the gymnastics Olympics, people might have misunderstood she might be related to Gymnast Suni Lee.
Additional Information
- Hoda Ktob was born on August 9, 1964, in Norman, Oklahoma, to Sameha Kotb and A.K. Kotb. She has two siblings: a brother, Adel, and a sister, Hala.
- Suni Lee, whose full name is Sunisa Lee, was born on March 9, 2003, in Saint Paul, Saint Paul, Minnesota. She has five siblings: Shyenne, Evionn, Noah, Lucky, and Jonah.
- Before the 2024 Olympics, Suni Lee went through a health battle, which made her think she wouldn’t be able to do well. However, she ended up winning the bronze medal. Before the game started, she appeared reciting affirmations and mantras.
