Scarlett Johansson Fulfills Childhood Dream as Guest Host on Today with Jenna Bush Hager

Before she was an Oscar nominated actress, Scarlett Johansson had a different dream. “I imagined as a 10-year-old: Someday I’m going to be on a daytime show and meet all of these amazing people,” the 40-year-old told a news outlet Jan. 21. The native New Yorker got her wish, filling in as a guest host on Today with Jenna Bush Hager on the morning show’s fourth hour, Jenna & Friends. The actress, set to join the lineup for a few days in the wake of longtime cohost Hoda Kotb’s departure, joked that she got more attention from fans for doing the show than for any of her other projects.

That’s saying a lot for someone who’s part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe! The Avengers star, well, marveled at how well run the TV favorite is, and loved being on the other side of the equation. “It’s such a good vibe here,” raved the mom of two. “I’ve done, obviously, morning shows and whatever for years and years, publicizing projects I worked on and whatever, [but] it’s always fun to come on this show.” She summed up the appeal: “It’s such an upbeat thing.”

Scarlett is the fifth celeb to join Jenna, following Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Keke Palmer and Michelle Buteau. Jenna gave her cohost — wed to Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost — a rave. “She’s so naturally curious. I know that from hanging with her,” said the 43-year-old. “And she’s a good listener. And that’s part of how you do this job. So I knew she’d be good.”