Hoda Kotb Finally Met Her ‘Dream’ Celeb at the Paris Olympics

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Hoda Kotb’s chance encounter with Tom Cruise at the Paris Olympics turned out to actually be her “dream” come true.

While attending the 2024 Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26, one moment in particular truly left Kotb in awe – an unexpected meeting with Cruise on the bridge above the Seine river, according to ET. Sharing the excitement on Instagram, Kotb, 59, posted a selfie with the actor, both drenched in Paris’ pouring rain.

The TV show host captioned the photo, “Do you know when you dream of meeting Tom Cruise… And then it finally happens,” capturing the surreal nature of their meeting. In the image, Kotb is smiling wide with joy wrapped in a poncho while Cruise, with his hair soaked, stood beside her dressed in all black.

The amusing scene prompted co-star Jenna Bush Hager to comment, “In your dream were you wearing a poncho?” and TV personality Carson Daly to add, “Ok, you win the day. 🙌.” TODAY host Savannah Guthrie also commented, “Icons only 👏.”

Fans of the morning show host added in their comments as well, leaving mixed reviews about Cruise, 62. “I had to do a double take- am I really seeing who I think I’m seeing?!?!” noted one user, while another said, “Would never be excited to meet him.” A third fan commented on Kotb’s rainy day look, saying, “Hoda, only you could look so happy and beautiful meeting Tom Cruise in a rain poncho!”

The Hoda & Jenna host recently found herself at the center of romance rumors with another actor – none other than Kevin Costner. During a July 9 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, a caller asked how she felt about fans “shipping” her with Costner after their previous interview on TODAY. Laughing, Kotb looked genuinely stunned and turned to her co-host Guthrie, exclaiming, “Wait, what? That’s a new one.” She playfully added, “Well, if the viewers want it…” which sent the audience into a frenzy of cheers and laughter.