Jenna Bush Hager became a bit emotional as she apologized during NBC’s “Today” on Monday for her verbal snafu from the Golden Globes red carpet that went viral.
The contributing correspondent accidentally combined the names of two nominated films, “Hidden Figures” and “Fences,” during an interview with “Hidden Figures” producer and songwriter Pharrell Williams.
“So you’re nominated for Hidden Fences,” Bush Hager said during the interview on Sunday. The flub exploded on Twitter and became a running joke during the awards ceremony after the same “Hidden Fences” flub was repeated by Michael Keaton.
“When I was interviewing the incomparable Pharrell, who I adore, I accidentally — in the electricity of the red carpet, which I’ve never done one before — called ‘Hidden Figures’ ‘Hidden Fences,’” Bush Hager said on “Today.” ” I have seen both movies, thought they were both brilliant. I’ve interviewed casts for both of the movies and if I offended people I am deeply sorry,” added the “Today” correspondent, also the daughter of former President George W. Bush.
“It was a mistake, because ya’ll know I’m not perfect, I am authentic, but a human. And what I didn’t want to do is make anyone lesser than who they are. I apologize to both the cast, to Pharrell but it was a mistake and I hope we can move on,” she added.
“Today” host Al Roker, who co-hosted the red carpet special with Bush Hager, defended his colleague by criticizing the culture of social media.
“Honest mistakes happen in live television and this culture of Twitter and waiting to pounce and get on people, it’s got to stop,” Roker said. “It’s got to stop somewhere because it’s pretty ridiculous.”
“Hidden Figures,” which was released this past Friday, stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae as a trio of black NASA mathematicians who were key to the success of John Glenn’s historic orbit of the Earth in 1962.
“Fences,” which earned Viola Davis a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama on Sunday night, stars Denzel Washington, who also directed the adaptation of August Wilson’s play about a retired Negro League pitcher who struggles with his past and his relationship with his family.
Watch Bush Hager’s apology and discussion of the red carpet incident here:
WATCH: “If I offended people, I am deeply sorry. It was a mistake… I am not perfect.” @JennaBushHager on Golden Globes red carpet mistake pic.twitter.com/0dOLPHuJCO
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 9, 2017