Jenna Bush Hager revealed on the “Today” show that her daughter Mila had a disturbing reaction to the Disney movie “Cinderella,” fearing that Jenna would die and asking a co-worker to be her stepmother. The anecdote was shared during a conversation with guest host Andy Cohen, who criticized the film’s plot.
On Monday’s episode of the “Today” show, Jenna Bush Hager recalled a childhood memory of her daughters watching “Cinderella” that led to an unexpected and dark assumption. The conversation began with Andy Cohen expressing his views on the 1950 Disney classic, noting that he wanted more focus on the evil stepsisters and Cinderella’s transformation rather than the cat and mouse scenes. Cohen described the film as “52 minutes of cat and mouse play,” suggesting it lacked depth in character development.
Jenna then explained how her daughters, Mila, now 12, and Poppy, 10, after watching numerous princess films, began to believe that she might die, similar to Cinderella’s orphaned background. She shared that Mila once approached Donna, a colleague at NBC, and asked, “When my mom dies, will you be my stepmother?” Jenna described this moment as “dark,” highlighting the impact of fairy tales on young children’s imaginations and their literal interpretations of storylines.
The talk show host, who is also mother to 7-year-old son Hal with husband Henry Hager, used the story to illustrate how children can internalize narratives from movies. Jenna and Henry have been married since 2008, and she has often spoken about her family life on the show, emphasizing the joys and challenges of parenting. This personal revelation resonated with viewers, showcasing the universal experiences of family dynamics.
In the same episode, Jenna discussed her desire for more children, joking that she would have liked “one more” to round out the family but feels it’s too late now. When co-star Justin Sylvester suggested she could still expand her family, Jenna replied, “It feels like that ship has sailed,” indicating her acceptance of having three children. She had previously mentioned in March that three kids felt like the perfect number for their household, despite initial hopes for a larger family.
This anecdote comes after Jenna recently addressed divorce rumors, confirming that she and Henry are happily married and explaining that a missing wedding ring was due to a finger injury. She emphasized their strong relationship amidst public speculation, reinforcing her commitment to family transparency. The timing of this story helps counter earlier gossip and reaffirms her stable personal life.
The story underscores how classic Disney narratives can influence children’s perceptions in unexpected ways, prompting discussions about media literacy and parenting. It also reflects Jenna’s openness in sharing personal moments, connecting with audiences through relatable family experiences and fostering conversations about the effects of entertainment on young minds.
