Jenna Bush Hager Debuts Chic ‘White Lotus’ Bob on TODAY Show
NEW YORK — The scissors flashed under the studio lights as Jenna Bush Hager squeezed her eyes shut, gasping when the first chunk of her signature shoulder-length hair tumbled to the floor. In a moment equal parts nerve-wracking and exhilarating, the TODAY show host transformed her look live on air Tuesday with a razor-sharp bob inspired by HBO’s The White Lotus — and Leslie Bibb, the actress behind the show’s viral hairstyle, was right there cheering her on.
“Okay, deep breaths!” Jenna laughed, gripping the salon chair as celebrity stylist Chris McMillan — the man behind Jennifer Aniston’s iconic “Rachel” cut — began sculpting her new chin-grazing style. Bibb leaned in with encouragement: “You’re such a badass! This is going to be incredible.” The dramatic chop came during the show’s “Jenna & Friends” segment, where the 43-year-old confessed she’d been dreaming of a change. “I call this the ‘Single White Female’ move,” she joked about copying Bibb’s look. “But honestly, after three kids and years of the same hair? I’m ready.”
The “C—y Little Bob” Phenomenon
The style, playfully dubbed the “c—y little bob” by Bibb’s White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood, became a social media sensation earlier this year. McMillan — who originally created the cut for Bibb — explained its magic as he tailored the A-line shape to Jenna’s face: “It’s all about that blunt edge that flicks out just so. No flipping, no fuss — modern and sexy.” He kept the length above the shoulders to accentuate her jawline, advising viewers: “If you want this look, skip bangs. Let your features shine.”
Family Reactions: Tears, Laughter & “Damn, That’s Hot!”
Back home, Jenna’s toughest critics awaited the reveal. Her 10-year-old daughter Mila had begged, “Mom, please don’t do it — you’ll regret it!” When Jenna walked through the door with her new look, one daughter dramatically pretended to sob. “That’s our love language,” Jenna shrugged on Wednesday’s broadcast, grinning. But her husband Henry’s reaction sealed the deal: “He took one look and said, ‘Damn, that’s hot!’ Then he defended me to the kids like, ‘Your mom does know fashion!’”
Why This Cut Means More Than Hair
Beyond the style, the moment captured Jenna’s willingness to embrace change publicly — nerves and all. “There’s a lot of transition happening right now,” she reflected, hinting at personal and professional shifts. The bob also marks a cultural full circle for McMillan, whose “Rachel” defined ‘90s fashion. Three decades later, his “c—y little bob” is igniting a new trend — proving sometimes the boldest reinventions start with a pair of shears and a deep breath.
Style Notes for Inspired Viewers
For fans ready to take the plunge, McMillan shared pro tips:
- Maintenance: Schedule trims every 6 weeks to keep the blunt line sharp
- Styling: “Slick it behind your ears for meetings, go messy-wavy for weekends”
- Color: Jenna kept her natural honey-blonde, but McMillan says rich chocolates or caramel balayage amplify the edge
As the TODAY crew applauded her courage, Jenna touched her nape — still adjusting to the breeze on her neck. “I feel lighter,” she smiled. “And maybe a tiny bit fiercer.” With Bibb’s seal of approval and a husband’s swoon-worthy review, this “White Lotus” moment might just be her best plot twist yet.