Hoda Kotb while sharing her biggest childhood insecurity also empathises with today's kids.
In an interview with Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna, Kotb,59, disclosed that she had experienced bullying as a middle school student.
"I remember sitting in the front of the bus and listening to people make fun of me and just [wanting] the bus to get to school," Kotb said during Tuesday's broadcast.
"And I remember the feeling of, 'Just end this bus ride and get me to school.' But just so you know, if you have kids or are going through a really tough middle school year, don't worry."
The 42-year-old Bush Hager recalled how her middle school lover broke up with her, saying those years were "tough for everyone."
"I don't know one person who is like, 'Guess when I was at my prime? Middle school!' Cause it's hormonal," she continued. "You don't really know who you are or what to do, therefore, you act out."
Kotb agreed and said she was "one of those people who was kind of a pleaser."
"I kind of went along with what other people were doing, which is a mistake," the mom of two described, stating that she never felt safe to open up about it in front of anyone.
"I never brought it up to my parents ever. And maybe to a friend, sort of? I just think I was more of a 'Let's push through' kind of thing," she continued. "Cause I think back then, I don't think that kids were so expressive."
Kotb said one of her bullies was a "girl who always threatened to beat me up."
"I was so scared of her," she recalled.
"And she kept saying, 'If I see you in the bathroom...' And I didn't even know her! I was like, 'Why do you want to beat me up?' I had no idea why. But I know I never mentioned it. I didn't mention it. I just navigated it."
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