WATCH: Savannah Guthrie hands over fake eyelashes to Hoda Kotb while crying as she announces 'Today' exit

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As Hoda Kotb announced her decision to leave the 'Today' show in early 2025, an emotional moment unfolded live on the morning show on NBC on Thursday, September 26.

The announcement led to a heartfelt farewell segment, during which Kotb’s co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who was so overwhelmed with emotion, accidentally lost one of her false eyelashes, causing a light-hearted and humorous moment on air.

Hoda Kotb's tearful and funny farewell

While sitting beside Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie teared up, causing one of her fake lashes to come loose.

In the middle of the emotional segment, the 52-year-old turned to Kotb, 60, and handed the fallen lash to her, saying, "Here’s my lash."

The moment added levity to the otherwise tear-filled goodbye as Kotb showed the false lash to the camera.

Guthrie then jokingly tried to pass the lash on to co-host Sheinelle Jones, 46, who reacted with laughter, saying, "That is disgusting!"

Al Roker, 70, also joined in on the fun, noting, "I don’t want to hold a lash, that’s okay," sparking more laughter among the morning show hosts.

Why is Hoda Kotb leaving the 'Today' show after 17 years?

During the same segment, Hoda Kotb revealed her reasoning for leaving the morning show, explaining how she was "ready to turn the page" after 17 years on 'Today'.

Kotb, who has co-anchored alongside Savannah Guthrie since 2018, shared that she has loved her time on the show but is looking ahead to new challenges and personal goals.

"I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new," Kotb explained in a letter to her colleagues published on Thursday, September 26, according to People.

"I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, 'This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.' And I thought it can't get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on," she added.

Savannah Guthrie calls Hoda Kotb an inspiration

In an emotional tribute, Savannah Guthrie tearfully said, "Hoda, we love you so much."

"And when you look around and see these tears, they’re love. You are so loved. We don’t want to imagine this place without you," she continued.

Applauding Kotb for her courage in leaving the morning show at the peak of her career, Guthrie said, "You have guts."

"For someone to leave at the top of their game — to leave something that’s wonderful, that you love, where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun — and to say, ‘But I dream even bigger for myself,’ you have so much guts," she added.

"You inspire me. I love you. You are our sunshine," Guthrie concluded.