'Today' Show Fans Send Hoda Kotb Love After She Announces Split From Fiance Joel Schiffman

By Michael Hein

Today Show anchor Hoda Kotb are calling off their engagement and breaking up, and fans are sympathetic. On Monday, Kotb announced on the air that she and Joel Schiffman are splitting up. Social media quickly filled with well-wishes from fans, and praise for Kotb's vulnerability.

"Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we are better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple, so we decided we are going to start this new year on our new path as loving parents to our adorably delightful children and as friends," Kotb said. "It's not like something happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, this was for a season."

After it aired on TV, a clip of this moment was shared by the official TODAY with Hoda & Jenna social media pages, which kicked up even more conversation on social media. Many sympathized with Kotb and remarked on how emotionally draining the holiday season can be.

So far, Kotb and Schiffman have not offered any additional commentary or remarked on how their news made a splash on social media. Scroll down for some of the top comments about this news.

Familiar

Some fans left replies saying that they could relate to Kotb's experience, and even that they had had similar ones. Many assured Kotb that she could get through this heartbreak.

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Admiration

Fans assumed that it was difficult for Kotb to share this news on the air, and they applauded her for handling the task well. Many said they admired her honesty and vulnerability.

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Virtual Comfort

Fans offered Kotb what comfort they could through social media, even if that was only a GIF of a hug from a friend.

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Children

Although Kotb said that she and Schiffman will continue to co-parent their two adopted daughters, fans noted that Kotb referred to them as hers, not "theirs" in Monday's clip. Some feared for how the girls would process this kind of rhetoric.

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Angry

Some fans went straight to the anger stage of the grieving process, directing their rage at Schiffman on Kotb's behalf.

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Personal

Some fans questioned this highly personal announcement on what is ostensibly a news show. Many took it as a sign of the general direction of The Today Show and of celebrity culture in general.

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Bright Side

Finally, some fans remarked that, as far as breakups go, this one was handled very well. They felt confident that Kotb and Schiffman will remain cordial and will do what's best for their daughters.

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