During a promotional interview for her new Netflix holiday rom-com ‘Champagne Problems,’ actress Minka Kelly found herself in an awkward situation when ‘Today with Jenna & Friends’ host Jenna Bush Hager inquired about her relationship with Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds. The exchange, which aired on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, quickly turned uncomfortable as Kelly visibly hesitated and deflected the personal question, leaving Bush Hager flustered.
The interview began with Kelly discussing her upcoming film, but Bush Hager shifted the conversation to Kelly’s personal life, referencing the movie’s themes of love and holidays. She directly asked Kelly to talk about her relationship with Reynolds if she felt comfortable, which caused Kelly to recoil in her seat with a shocked expression. This abrupt transition highlighted the tension between professional promotion and private matters, setting the stage for an uneasy dialogue.
Despite Kelly’s visible discomfort, Bush Hager pressed on, noting a recent birthday message Kelly had posted for Reynolds and describing it as ‘beautiful.’ Kelly responded hesitantly, agreeing it was beautiful and adding, ‘I’m very lucky. He’s a really good guy,’ while appearing to glance off-camera, possibly for guidance from her publicist. Her brief, guarded replies underscored a clear reluctance to delve into her romantic life, amplifying the awkwardness in the studio.
Bush Hager, sensing the tension, nervously laughed and called Kelly out, saying, ‘Sounds like you don’t want to talk about it. That’s fine,’ a remark that laid bare the discomfort and left viewers cringing at the stalled conversation. This moment revealed the challenges hosts face when navigating personal topics with guests who value privacy, and it momentarily threw the interview off balance.
Just as the interaction threatened to falter further, co-host Olivia Munn intervened to diffuse the situation. She shared a positive anecdote about working with Reynolds on an Imagine Dragons music video, praising him as ‘so kind’ and expressing her affection for the musician. This thoughtful diversion allowed Kelly to open up slightly, describing Reynolds as ‘the best’ and noting that the band members are ‘all the best,’ before skillfully steering the discussion back to her movie’s themes of unexpected love.
Kelly and Reynolds have been in a relationship since 2022, following his divorce from Aja Volkman, with whom he shares four children. They were introduced by a mutual friend and began their romance through frequent phone calls, during which they exchanged creative work—Kelly’s candid memoir ‘Tell Me Everything’ and Reynolds’ music for Imagine Dragons’ album ‘Loom.’ This unique, long-distance start fostered a deep connection, as Reynolds later noted in a 2024 interview, calling it a ‘strange and awesome way to meet someone.’
Despite their high-profile status, the couple has largely kept their relationship private, with Kelly’s on-air hesitation reflecting their preference for discretion. In past instances, such as a heartfelt birthday tribute in July 2025, Kelly has publicly expressed admiration for Reynolds, describing him as a ‘beautiful man’ who embodies ‘true masculinity,’ but she remains selective about sharing details, prioritizing professional discussion over personal revelation.
The incident underscores the broader challenges celebrities face in balancing public appearances with personal boundaries, and it may influence how talk show hosts approach sensitive topics in the future. By emphasizing respect over sensationalism, such interactions can foster more mindful interviews that honor guests’ privacy while still engaging audiences, potentially shaping entertainment media norms moving forward.
