Hoda Kotb is an American-Egyptian broadcaster who has recently been the subject of quite a few entertainment articles. I thought it had something to do with her job, but then I realized (disappointedly) that she was being talked about because she had posted a video of herself in a bikini to Instagram.
I’m not going to deny that she looked absolutely beautiful in her Lily Pulitzer pink, blue and white bikini — not to mention the fact that she and her two-year-old daughter Haley Joy had matching sets — but it makes very little sense to spill ink over something personal and quotidian.
An Image of Positivity
Let’s look at this from a couple of perspectives.
If images of fifty-four-year-old Hoda Kotb in a bikini are being publicized to build body positivity in mothers and older women, great! If they are being used merely for the sake of product placement or to elicit an untoward reaction, then they have been ill-used.
The Instagrammed video has received 576,000+ views and has accrued 2,820 comments. The response to this post has been positive. Many respondents themselves are women and mothers who loved Hoda’s style. They seem to look up to her as a model. One user said that Hoda inspires her to appreciate life. Some others appreciated her for slaying her look. But as always, the haters descend. One user was skeptical about Hoda’s choice of clothing while another openly said she needs to cover up.
The Takeaway
It is heartening to see successful women like Hoda spend tender moments with their children. She confidently demonstrates that age need not dictate what you wear. I think that’s something a lot of women need to hear.
Catch Hoda on NBC’s The Today Show at 7-9 and 10-11 ET on weekdays and follow her (@hodakotb) on Instagram.