TODAY star Savannah Guthrie has admitted she was a “big mess” as she almost didn’t make it on air because she overslept.
But, critics have been asking if the host’s blunder on Thursday was staged.
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Guthrie, who has been front and center this week amid Hoda Kotb’s absence from the show, shared a picture of herself in the back of her car just 25 minutes before Today was due to go on air.
She later shared footage of herself being glammed up by the makeup team, who she branded “miracle workers”.
The host was then seen dashing into the studio – just minutes before the show was to go on air.
Guthrie’s husband Michael Feldman said Savannah looked hot despite her blunder.
She replied: “Awww I love you baby.”
Guthrie’s co-host Craig Melvin made a joke at his colleague’s expense as he quipped: “You almost had the morning off as well.”
Explaining the situation to viewers, Melvin said: “Savannah Guthrie rolled in about 15 minutes ago. She overslept. She is normal.”
She admitted that she was a “big ole mess” as she didn’t have hair and makeup done before being glammed up.
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Critics have accused Guthrie of faking the blunder.
One viewer lashed out, saying: “Staged to make you more likable.”
Another asked: “Was this deliberate?”
But, Guthrie’s supporters said the gaffe made her more “relatable”.
One fan gushed: “Love that you share this real-life situation with us!
“You may have felt like a ‘hot mess’ but your (sic) certainly didn’t look like one.”
Another Instagram user reassured the presenter, saying: “Deep breath. You are allowed.”
BLUNDER ‘STAGED’
Guthrie later shared a series of snaps from Thursday’s episode, captioning the pictures: “This is today.”
And, she posted a screenshot of her alarm that was set for 4am in a bid to avoid sleeping in again.
A Today insider told Page Six: “Producers, assistants, executives, security, hair, and makeup people are all waiting for her to arrive.
“If she’s one minute late, everyone would notice. If she’s 10 minutes late, it’s CODE RED.”
This week, Guthrie has covered the main news stories amid Kotb’s absence.
Kotb has been away from the show as she celebrated her 58th birthday.
On Tuesday, Guthrie celebrated beating her fellow co-hosts in a game of Password when Jimmy Fallon made an appearance on the show.
Password, which is presented by comic Jimmy Fallon, premiered on NBC on Tuesday night.
Guthrie posted on Instagram: “So fun to play Password with Jimmy Fallon – just a friendly match between the TODAY boys and girls.”
The host reveled in her victory as she teamed up alongside journalist Sheinelle Jones.
FEUD RUMORS
Kotb’s absence comes months after rumors first started swirling that she and Guthrie are embroiled in a backstage feud.
A source close to production on the Today Show exclusively told The Sun back in June that Guthrie and Kotb secretly “can’t stand each other” backstage.
They claimed: “Savannah is the boss. After Matt Lauer was ousted, Savannah grabbed power, and she really wanted Willy Geist in Hoda’s role, but his ratings were just not up to par for the network.
“Hoda out maneuvered Savannah and got the spot.”
The source also alleged that Guthrie views herself as a “real news person”, while Kotb is perceived as a “lightweight”.
Kotb and Guthrie made history, becoming the first pair of women to co-anchor Today after decades on the air.
Fans last month claimed they spotted an awkward moment between the two women during a food segment.
And, in another cooking demonstration, Guthrie took center stage alongside the chef, while Kotb was with her fellow hosts tasting the food.
Guthrie appeared to mock Kotb’s dancing skills during a cringe behind-the-scenes moment last week.
Fans of the morning show have begged the pair to move on as speculation mounts.
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