Celebrity Kevin Costner and Hoda Kotb Are Being Shipped By Fans: 'Well, If the Viewers Want It!' "I have never heard that, not one time," a confused Kotb replied to a curious fan, who asked about a possible romantic connection between Kotb and Costner By Charna Flam Charna Flam Charna Flam is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Variety, The New York Post, and The Wrap. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 10, 2024 06:43PM EDT Kevin Costner and Hota Kotb. Photo: Getty(2) Hoda Kotb is shocked fans are "shipping" her with Kevin Costner! Kotb, 59, was joined by her Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie for an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Tuesday, July 9, and learned something new about her fans! One audience member asked the journalist, “How do you feel about viewers ‘shipping’ you and Kevin Costner after he appeared on Today last month? And have the two of you connected since?” The question came as a surprise to Kotb, who exclaimed through her laughter, “Wait, what?” Hoda Kotb 'Always Wanted to Be a Teacher' but Later Realized Her Dream Was Inspired By Her Desire to Be a Mom (Exclusive) Cohen, 56, immediately explained, “The viewers want the two of you together.” She then looked to Guthrie with a look of shock — with Guthrie, 52, mirroring her amazement. Cohen quickly confirmed, “Yes, yes, yes, yes,” as Kotb said, "I have never heard that, not one time." An excited Guthrie then asked, “Well, you heard it now, you up to it?” while clapping her hands. "Well, if the viewers want it," Kotb quipped with a devilish smile while looking at the camera. "Give the people what they want," Guthrie concluded. Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager and Kevin Costner. TODAY The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Following Kotb’s Tuesday conversation, her Today With Hoda and Jenna co-anchor Jenna Bush Hager brought up the potential pairing during the Wednesday, July 10 episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna. Bush Hager, 42, joked about Kotb’s Tuesday appearance and fans' growing interest in a possible romantic connection between the anchor and the Oscar winner, 69. “I didn’t know you and Kevin were shipping! I didn’t even know what shipping meant,” confessed Bush Hager, with Kotb chiming in that she didn’t know the term either. While Bush Hager may not have known what shipping is, she admitted that she knew fans were playfully onboard with the idea. "I actually did know because people were coming up to me on the street, and people were like, 'You should set up Hoda and Kevin Costner,'" she said. "I didn't know they were flirting behind my back." Horizon's Abbey Lee Says Kevin Costner Was 'Sensitive' About Their Sex Scene: I Was 'Comfortable' (Exclusive) Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. During the anchors’ segment, clips of Costner’s June 20 Today interview were played back, for fans — and Kotb — to watch the pair’s connection. Through a bout of laughter, Kotb said, “Y’all are ridiculous.” “Let’s give him a call, Kevin? I’m just kidding,” before the two women burst into laughter.