Author Freida McFadden Reveals Real Identity After Using Pen Name for 13 Years Freida McFadden, the acclaimed author who has written under a pseudonym for over a decade, has publicly disclosed her real identity after years of maintaining secrecy. In a statement to TODAY.com, McFadden explained that the mystery surrounding her real name had grown into a kind of folklore, prompting her to share her true identity with the public. She emphasized that her primary focus has always been on her work, not her personal life. McFadden, who has been open about her dual life as both a physician and a writer, described the decision to reveal her real name as a natural progression. “It became clear to me that the mystery around my real name was taking on a lore of its own, and I decided it was time to share it,” she said. She also addressed the online speculation about her identity, noting that while some people had teased them about knowing her real name, she found it amusing. “It’s not like I’m in witness protection! I just always wanted the focus to be on my books, not my identity,” she added. The author expressed surprise at the overwhelming public reaction to her revelation. “I was overwhelmed by the response,” she said, acknowledging the outpouring of support from readers. Despite the attention, McFadden confirmed she will continue writing under her pen name. “Now that the truth is out there, I want my readers to know that I will still be publishing books as Freida McFadden,” she stated. She reiterated her commitment to her craft, saying, “It has always been my intention to entertain people and that is what I will continue doing as long as you keep reading.” McFadden’s decision to use a pseudonym for 13 years was rooted in her desire to keep her professional and personal lives separate.#jenna_bush_hager #freida_mcfadden #today_com #open_book_with_jenna #medical_profession
Jenna Bush Hager Pulls Off April Fool’s Day Prank on 'Today' Show April 1, 2026, marked a chaotic yet humorous episode of Today With Jenna & Sheinelle as host Jenna Bush Hager orchestrated a surprise April Fool’s Day prank on her co-host Willie Geist. The segment, which aired on the morning news show, began with a discussion of unrelated topics, including Lamar Odom’s new documentary and Raye’s album, before escalating into a comedic mishap involving a $20,000 cake. Geist, who had joined Hager for the second day of the week’s episode, was initially taken aback when Hager walked over to assist in moving a cake across the set. The cake, described as a viral sensation on social media, was said to be a one-of-a-kind creation priced at $20,000. As Hager reached for the dessert, it slipped from the tray, splattered across the studio floor, and caused her to lose her balance. The incident left the set in stunned silence before Today Digital Executive Editor Arianna Davis Santana quipped, “Well, there goes the one cake, $20,000.” Geist, however, quickly realized the prank was in motion. He pointed at Hager, declaring, “I knew it,” to which she responded with a playful question: “You knew it?” The moment was further amplified when Geist exclaimed, “April Fools!” after helping Hager up. Hager later admitted she had not planned the fall, though she revealed her children had already pulled pranks on their family ahead of the holiday. The prank’s setup was revealed to be a cleverly staged act. A Jenna & Sheinelle crew member had stripped and re-iced the cake within 45 minutes, creating the illusion of a rare, high-value dessert. Geist humorously remarked that the effort was “worth it,” acknowledging the skill required to execute the trick.#today_show #jenna_bush_hager #lamar_odom #raye #willie_geist
NBC TODAY Show Explores Jamaica's Culture and Cuisine NBC’s TODAY Show is embarking on a multi-day series in Jamaica, featuring co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones as they delve into the island’s vibrant culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. The special episodes, sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board and Sandals Resorts, will highlight Jamaica’s enduring appeal as a global travel destination, showcasing its rich traditions, authentic experiences, and modern luxury offerings. The series will air over two days, offering viewers an immersive look at Jamaica’s cultural and scenic highlights. From savoring local delicacies like jerk chicken at street vendors to experiencing the rhythmic energy of reggae and dancehall music, the hosts will emphasize the island’s unique identity. Premier accommodations such as Sandals Dunn’s River will also be featured, blending Caribbean coastal beauty with high-end hospitality. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, praised the collaboration, stating, “We are truly proud to have the TODAY Show showcase the best of our island through our culture. It also reinforces confidence in the destination to have such a large and prestigious network come to and enjoy our unique and authentic experiences.” The series also includes insights from Jamaica’s tourism director, Donovan White, who described the island as a place where “the people, the food, the music — there’s an energy here that is completely unlike anywhere else in the world.” Since its debut in 1952, TODAY has remained a staple of American morning television, consistently drawing over 3 million viewers and maintaining its position as a top-rated show.#jenna_bush_hager #sheinelle_jones #nbc_tonday_show #jamaica_tourist_board #sandals_resorts
Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager Admit They’ve Never Worn a Bikini as They Head to Jamaica for a Spring Break Special Sheinelle Jones, 47, and Jenna Bush Hager, 44, revealed during a March 25 episode of TODAY With Jenna & Sheinelle that they’ve never worn a bikini, sparking a lighthearted discussion about their upcoming trip to Jamaica. The duo, who are hosting a spring break special from the tropical island, addressed a fan’s question about whether they would wear two-piece swimsuits while traveling with colleagues. Jones admitted she’s “never worn a bikini in my life,” joking that she might try one “when I’m 97 on a pole.” Bush Hager echoed the sentiment, saying she also avoids bikinis but emphasized that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the trip. The hosts, who are taking their talk show to Jamaica for the first time, shared details about their plans. They confirmed they will spend two days at the all-inclusive Sandals Dunn’s River Resort in Ocho Rios, where they’ll relax on the beach, shop, and meet local celebrities. Jones joked that the experience feels like a game show, while Bush Hager humorously noted the tropical drink they were served tasted like sunscreen. The trip, which coincides with a special episode on March 26 and 27, marks their first “girls’ trip” together. The duo also announced a sweepstakes offering a fan and their guest the chance to join them on the trip. Jones teased that the experience would be “kicking back, relaxing by the pool,” while Bush Hager quipped about the possibility of being photographed in a bikini, though she clarified there would be no cameras during their private time. The hosts’ candid conversation about their fashion choices and travel plans highlighted their camaraderie as they prepare to bring the Today Show to a tropical paradise.#today_show #jenna_bush_hager #sheinelle_jones #sandals_dunn_s_river_resort #ocho_rios
Jenna Bush Hager Absent From ‘Today’ This Week NBC’s Today show faced unexpected changes this week as several regular hosts were unavailable. Hoda Kotb continued to substitute for Savannah Guthrie on Monday’s episode, as the search for Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, continued in Arizona. Al Roker was absent from Studio 1A, with Dylan Dreyer stepping in to report live from the 2026 Players Championship in Florida. Jenna Bush Hager also missed the regular lineup, with Justin Sylvester filling in for her on Monday’s Today With Jenna & Friends episode. Sheinelle Jones explained that Bush Hager was on spring break, marking her first significant absence since the show’s relaunch as Jenna & Sheinelle. Sylvester’s substitute role came with a dramatic twist. He arrived in New York City just over two hours before the episode’s start, having traveled from California where he was covering the 2026 Oscars for E! News. “Girl, I brushed my teeth in the back of a car! I have never done this in my life,” Sylvester joked about his chaotic commute. He recounted being pulled over on the way to the Today set, telling Jones, “I dropped your name so hard!” Sylvester also shared on the show’s Instagram page that he had to pull up a flyer for the Today set on Instagram to prove his urgency. Jones empathized with Sylvester’s struggles, recalling a similar experience from her own time on the show. “That’s happened to me once. It’s almost a rite of passage when you work in morning television that one morning, either you oversleep, or you do whatever, and you have to speed,” she said. She described speeding down the highway at 4 a.m., only to be pulled over by police. “As soon as I saw the [police sirens], I’m like, ‘Oh, my gosh!’” she recounted.#today_show #hoda_kotb #jenna_bush_hager #sylvester #2026_players_championship
Why Is Jenna Bush Hager Absent From ‘Today’ This Week? NBC’s Today show began the week without several of its primary hosts. Hoda Kotb continued to substitute for Savannah Guthrie on the March 16 episode, as the search for Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, continued in Arizona. Al Roker was absent from Today’s Studio 1A, with Dylan Dreyer stepping in to report live from the 2026 Players Championship in Florida. Jenna Bush Hager was also missing from the regular hosting lineup. Justin Sylvester filled in for her on Monday’s episode of Today With Jenna & Friends, during which Sheinelle Jones explained that Bush Hager was on spring break. Sylvester nearly missed his guest-hosting assignment, though the details of the near-miss were not elaborated. The absence of Bush Hager was noted as part of the show’s usual rotation of hosts, with the focus shifting to the other contributors. The episode highlighted the flexibility of the Today team in accommodating unexpected circumstances, such as personal time off or ongoing personal matters. While the absence of a main host can sometimes draw attention, the segment featuring Sylvester and Jones provided a brief explanation for the gap in the regular lineup. The show’s structure allowed for such substitutions without disrupting the overall programming flow. The episode also included coverage of other events, such as the 2026 Players Championship, which was being reported on live by Dreyer. This underscored the show’s role in providing real-time updates on major sporting events. Meanwhile, the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie remained a focal point of the morning news, reflecting the show’s commitment to covering significant, ongoing stories.#nancy_guthrie #hoda_kotb #savannah_guthrie #jenna_bush_hager #dylan_dreyer
Jenna Bush Hager is taking a break from the Today show for the week of March 16–20, with guest co-hosts stepping in to fill her absence. Sheinelle Jones, her co-host, will be joined by Justin Sylvester, Ashley Graham, Nia Long, and Darren Criss during the week. Jones noted that Jenna is on “a well-deserved spring break” and emphasized the show’s efforts to maintain its usual energy with the rotating guest hosts. Sylvester, who previously co-hosted with Bush Hager, will return on Monday, March 16, following a red-eye flight from Los Angeles after covering the Oscars. The show’s Instagram account outlined the week’s schedule, including Graham, Long, and Criss as guest co-hosts. Sylvester will also return on Friday, March 20, to wrap up the week. Jones, who joined the Today show in January, has been balancing her role while navigating personal challenges, including the recent loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh, in May 2025. She has been open about her grief while continuing her work on the show. Prior to her co-hosting role, Bush Hager spent a year with over 60 guest co-hosts on Today with Jenna & Friends, comparing the experience to “dating” after her previous co-host, Hoda Kotb, left the show in January 2025. Kotb praised Bush Hager’s growth, calling her a “proud mom” watching her carry the show for an entire year. Jones was selected as Bush Hager’s co-host in December 2025 after returning to the Today show in September 2025. She took an extended leave of absence following her husband’s death. Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie’s absence from the Today show continues amid the search for her mother, Nancy, who was abducted in February 2026. Jones and Kotb have been filling in for Guthrie during the early news hours, though a return date for Guthrie has not been confirmed.#jenna_bush_hager #sheinelle_jones #justin_sylvester #ashley_graham #nia_long
