Kathie Lee Gifford’s recent surprise on a “Today with Jenna & Friends” episode was more of a shock to fans. 

On Jan. 10, Gifford appeared on the show as a surprise to her former co-host, Hoda Kotb, and to celebrate Kotb’s final day at the “Today” show. However, the heartwarming moment took a back seat when viewers believed something was different about Gifford’s appearance. 

Kotb sat next to Jenna Bush Hager when Hager said, “Before we get to the next guest, Hoda, we’ve got a quick message from somebody very near and dear to your heart. Let’s take a look.”

Gifford then appears on screen dressed in a soft olive green shirt, complemented by a plaid scarf featuring gray, white, and red. In her heartfelt farewell message, she expresses, “I’m here in Tennessee, wishing I could be with you in New York. I cherish all the memories we've created together over the years and long for the opportunity to give you a hug. I’ve always adored wrapping my arms around you and basking in the warmth of your radiant smile. You are so cherished, Hoda. I truly hope you’re feeling all the love from everyone around you.”

View pictures in App save up to 80% data.

Before she signed off, she said, “I regret not being able to attend your special day, but you know how it is—I'm quite busy and very important.” After a brief pause, she leaned in and whispered “not” before giving a cheerful wave to say goodbye.

Hager cut right to the chase and said the clip was a “lie,” and Gifford came out of a side door on stage to embrace Kotb. Gifford spent the next five minutes reminiscing with Kotb and Bush about meeting Kotb and working with her on “Today with Kathie Lee & Hoda” from  2008 to 2019 before Gifford left. Hager succeeded Gifford for the four-hour show.

As their conversation drew to a close, the women were each handed a glass of wine for Gifford to raise and offer a toast. With tears in her eyes, Gifford began with a heartfelt scripture and continued, “May you step into the most joyful, abundant, and meaningful chapter of your life alongside those wonderful daughters I had the privilege to see enter your world – what a true blessing that was. I will always cherish those moments, and the instant those little ones arrived, I sensed that change was near, she wouldn’t be with us for long! So, here’s to you, my beloved friend; I love you dearly!”

On the “Today” show’s Facebook post of the surprise, one observer zoomed in on Kathie Lee’s appearance, stating, “What has she done to her face…I didn’t recognize her.” A second person wrote, “Love Kathie Lee but she’s had some work done.”

“Wow, she needs to lay off the botox. She was attractive before she started using it,” said a third on E! News’ Facebook post.

Conversely, many individuals had a different perspective on Gifford's appearance and opted to applaud her beauty. 

On YouTube, one person said, “Kathie still looks good.” And an X user posted, “Like fine wine, Kathie you look the same way as I did the first time I saw you many years ago.”

Kathie Lee is no stranger to going under the knife. In 2017, she allowed “Today” cameras to tag along and document as she underwent a procedure to tighten her neck. Closer Weekly reported last month that the 71-year-old was done with plastic surgery after years of having work done due to the pressure to look younger on camera.

“She had been doing it for years while in front of the camera, facing the pressure to maintain a youthful appearance, which was part of her industry,” an anonymous source told Closer. “However, that was the past, and things have changed. Many individuals in Nashville and New York appear overly artificial to her, and that's not the path she wishes to take. She wants to avoid blending in with the crowd and looking like everyone else, almost like a mannequin.”

The alleged insider shared, “It’s off-putting, and she’s more invested in the spiritual aspects of life, striving to maintain her youthful spirit through her art and melodies. … At this point in her journey, she feels no need to adhere to other people's expectations of her. She embraces her individuality and is proud of how she has evolved, wrinkles included.”

Kotb disclosed her intentions to depart from "Today" last September. She mentioned her two adopted daughters, Haley Joy Kotb, who is 8 years old, and Hope Catherine Kotb, who is 5. 

The 60-year-old said on the “Today” show, “I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and to try something new.

She remarked, “Clearly, I had my children later in life, and I’ve been reflecting on how they merit a larger share of my available time. It seems to me that our time is limited.”