Jaws dropped across the country when Jenna Bush Hager showed up to the TODAY show ready to lose it all. Her hair, that is. In a gutsy, live-on-air moment, she let a celebrity stylist take scissors to her shoulder-length locks. The result? A dramatic bob that left fans buzzing. But this wasn’t just a beauty stunt. The reason behind it is turning just as many heads.
The transformation happened live on TODAY with Jenna & Friends on June 16. With actress Leslie Bibb hyping her up, Jenna sat in the chair as Chris McMillan. The hairstylist behind Jennifer Aniston’s iconic “Rachel”, got to work. And while it was bold, Jenna wasn’t winging it. This chop had purpose, and the vision was clear.
Why the TV Host Chopped Her Hair Live On-Air — and the Viral HBO Inspiration Behind It
From the third paragraph onward, McMillan revealed everything. He said Jenna had asked for the bob and was directly inspired by Bibb’s look from The White Lotus Season 3. A style that had taken over social media. McMillan described the bob as a kind of “spring cleaning.” He explained that it fixed layers, got rid of old damage, and gave everything a clean, even shape. Jenna, he said, wanted something sleeker. More modern. More her.
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He studied her face shape and said it reminded him of Jennifer Aniston. A wide jawline, small forehead. And claimed the bob worked perfectly because of it. He called her hair thick and versatile, praising the A-line cut for allowing multiple styles. Long in the front, no bangs, and flippy ends that gave it a slightly undone edge. Think Charlize Theron, he said. Polished, but cool.
Jenna Bush Hager committed to a fresh new look live on TV during 'Jenna & Friends' after gushing over Leslie Bibb’s bob on 'The White Lotus.' https://t.co/WMbU76WiOi pic.twitter.com/YlsePMNzc3
— E! News (@enews) June 17, 2025
And yes, that viral moment from White Lotus helped spark the idea. Bibb had joked about her own cut getting a crude nickname from co-star Aimee Lou Wood. “The c— little bob.” Jenna loved the boldness, the vibe, and wanted in. McMillan posted the behind-the-scenes video, and just like that, the internet exploded. Jenna didn’t just get a new look. She claimed a whole new aesthetic. Live, unfiltered, and fiercely stylish.
