Blake Shelton Recalls Surprising Encounter With Hoda Kotb That Left Her Running

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Blake Shelton just recalled a time where he sent Today show host Hoda Kotb running for the hills.

On a segment of the morning show which aired on Wednesday, January 8, Shelton shared a memorable and surprising encounter with the TV host ahead of her retirement on Friday, January 10. The country music star appeared via video call to chat with Kotb and her co-host Jenna Bush Hager, and the conversation quickly turned to a hilarious story about their past.

Blake Shelton (L) and Hoda Kotb celebrate the expansion of Smithworks Vodka in Nashville, Tennessee at karaoke bar WannaBs on June 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Shelton recently recalled a time where Kotb once awkwardly... Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Smithworks Vodka

Shelton, 48, recalled previously meeting Kotb, 60, at a Nashville party, an encounter that he expected would be a special moment. However, it didn't quite go as planned. "I did run into her in Nashville one time, off-camera, and I thought it was going to be our moment," Shelton explained. "But she completely ran away from me. I mean, she ran away, like totally afraid of me."

The story had Kotb laughing in disbelief. "Wait, wait. What?!" she exclaimed in response to Shelton's revelation.

The encounter was sparked by comments from Hager, who joked that Kotb had been in love with the country singer for years. She went on to explain, "Hoda was in love with you for many years. I think she's let that go, but she still adores you, and I know you adore her." Shelton playfully responded that Kotb was probably just avoiding him at the time, much to her surprise.

Blake Shelton and Hoda Kotb as Blake Shelton attend Today's Halloween Extravaganza 2017 at Rockefeller Plaza on October 31, 2017 in New York City. Shelton recently recalled an encounter with the 'Today' show host that... John Lamparski/WireImage

Hager, eager to know more, asked Shelton if he would have pursued Kotb back then, to which the "Boys Round Here" singer gave a lighthearted reply: "Let's just slow your roll a little bit." He clarified that their brief encounter was nothing serious and that he was simply sharing a funny memory.

Shelton is now happily married to singer Gwen Stefani. The two married in 2021 and are co-parents to Stefani's three children with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale: Kingston, 18, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 10.

As for Kotb, she is currently raising two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope 5, with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman. The couple recently reunited to spend the holidays together with their daughters.