Blake Shelton’s Serenade Leaves Hoda Kotb Blushing on TODAY: A Heartwarming Moment

In a delightful throwback moment from August 2010, country music superstar Blake Shelton had TODAY co-host Hoda Kotb blushing on live television as he serenaded her with an acoustic performance. The charming exchange, filled with playful banter and undeniable chemistry, became an instant highlight of the broadcast, leaving viewers smiling and Kotb admittedly flustered. “Look at your face!” Shelton teased mid-song, as Kotb’s radiant grin lit up the studio, marking the beginning of a sweet friendship that has spanned over a decade.

During his 2010 appearance on TODAY, Shelton, then an original coach on The Voice, picked up his guitar to perform an unplugged version of “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” from his Red River Blue album. As he strummed the romantic lyrics, his eyes locked with Kotb’s, creating a moment that felt deeply personal. “My oh my, you’re so good-looking … I’ve not tasted all your cooking. Who are you when I’m not looking?” Shelton sang, raising an eyebrow with a coy smile. Kotb, caught off guard, couldn’t hide her delight, her face glowing with a mix of bashfulness and joy. “You’re gonna make me cry,” Shelton quipped during the performance, amplifying the lighthearted charm of the moment.

Fast forward to January 2025, when Kotb, reflecting on her final days as a TODAY co-host, reminisced about the unforgettable serenade. “I think it was the first time I felt like someone was singing to me,” she told Shelton during a heartfelt chat. The pair rewatched the 2010 clip, laughing as Shelton jokingly remarked, “I don’t think you can act like that on TV anymore.” Kotb agreed with a laugh, saying, “Those days are gone!” The nostalgic exchange underscored the enduring warmth of their friendship, which has been marked by countless charming moments over the years.

In October 2022, Kotb’s co-host Jenna Bush Hager revisited the iconic serenade during a Hoda & Jenna episode, playfully teasing Kotb about her reaction. “If somebody serenaded you, who would make you smile like that and kind of blush?” Bush Hager asked, prompting the 2010 clip to roll. As the footage played, Bush Hager exclaimed, “Wow, were there other people in that studio?” before jokingly suggesting they “cut that out for the west coast feed so that Gwen doesn’t see it.” The moment predated Shelton’s relationship with Gwen Stefani, whom he began dating in 2015 and married in 2021, but the playful jab added to the fun, highlighting the innocence of the original exchange.

Beyond the serenade, Shelton and Kotb’s friendship has produced many memorable moments. In 2018, Shelton sent Kotb a heartfelt birthday video, shouting, “Happy birthday, I love you!” which left her laughing and joking, “That’s gonna be my ringtone.” Their off-camera interactions are just as endearing. In January 2025, Shelton shared a hilarious anecdote about spotting Kotb at a Nashville party years ago, only for her to “run away” from him in a moment of shyness. “I thought it was going to be our moment,” he teased, while Kotb and Bush Hager burst into laughter, exclaiming, “Wait, what!?”

The 2010 serenade remains a standout moment in Kotb and Shelton’s friendship, a testament to their ability to bring joy to each other and their audience. As Kotb prepares to step away from TODAY, these heartfelt memories remind fans of her infectious warmth and the genuine connections she’s fostered on and off the screen. Shelton’s playful serenade, paired with Kotb’s blushing reaction, will forever be a cherished chapter in their TODAY story, proving that a simple song can spark laughter and love that lasts for years.