Live TV Wardrobe Malfunction: Jenna Bush Hager Calls for Help on ‘Today’ After Cat Gets Stuck in Custom Sweater

Jenna Bush Hager had to call for immediate wardrobe intervention during a live broadcast of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle after her pet cat became trapped inside a novelty pouch sweater. Celebrating National Cat Day on October 29, the daytime host found herself wrestling with a stuck zipper on live television while attempting to free her feline companion, Maisie.

The broadcast turned chaotic within seconds as the specialized pet carrier garment failed to open smoothly. Rather than cutting to commercial, the daytime anchor addressed the mishap head-on while keeping the animal calm in front of millions of morning viewers.

The Instagram Purchase That Went Wrong on Live Television

Hager made her entrance onto the Studio 1A set wearing a cozy pink sweater decorated with red hearts, featuring a specialized front pouch designed to carry pets. The opening allowed her family cat, Maisie, to poke her head out during the segment.

Jenna Bush Hager showed off a unique outfit on air

The host immediately admitted that the novelty apparel was an online impulse buy that did not live up to expectations. “First of all, we got this on Instagram and it’s not exactly as it was ordered… And now I take her out of my pouch,” Hager told viewers.

Before the pet introduction even began, both Hager and co-host Sheinelle Jones took antihistamines behind the scenes. Jones asked on-air whether they should disclose taking medication, leading Hager to confirm that both anchors share an allergy to cats.

“I Might Need Some Assistance”: The Battle With the Zipper

The playful pet showcase quickly derailed when Hager attempted to open the zipper pouch to release Maisie. The hardware snagged, pinning the feline securely inside the sweater lining.

Jenna struggled to get her cat out

Hager moved carefully to avoid injuring the animal during the struggle. “I don’t want to hurt her [hair],” Hager explained as the zipper refused to glide downward along the seam.

Jones hesitated to step in physically, initially stating, “I don’t wanna touch it,” before Hager jokingly clarified that Maisie is a female pet. As the zipper remained jammed, Hager officially called out for the studio crew to step in.

“Wait, oh oh, I might need some assistance with wardrobe.”

She called for wardrobe assistance

Jones shouted to the crew, “She can’t get out. Would you like me to help you?” Hager agreed to the backup but cautioned her co-host with strict instructions: “Just don’t zip her fur.”

After several tense seconds of maneuvering the fabric, Hager successfully freed the slide fastener. “Oh wait, here we go, here we go. Okay, there we go Maisie,” she announced as romantic music played over the studio speakers.

A Milestone Moment for Co-Host Sheinelle Jones

Once freed from the pouch, the appearance turned into a major personal first for Jones. Despite working around animals on daytime television, the anchor admitted she had never actually held a cat in her life.

Sheinelle Jones held a cat for the first time

Hager stepped in with quick instructions, coaching Jones on how to secure the feline safely:

• Hold the animal securely across the chest like a newborn baby.
• Support the lower body to keep the pet calm while adjusting to close contact.
• Transfer weight gently back to a familiar handler to minimize stress.

Jones overcame her initial hesitation and cradled Maisie before handing her back to Hager, who allowed the cat to explore the studio floor freely for the remainder of the segment.

Viral Product Hype vs. Studio Reality

Novelty pet clothing frequently trends across social media platforms like Instagram, promising effortless hands-free bonding. However, the unexpected snag on live television exposed a major disconnect between staged advertisements and real-world utility.

Maisie is no stranger to the spotlight in the Hager household. Both Maisie and Hager’s second cat, Mango, are treated like full family members, complete with joint birthday parties featuring animal-safe cakes purchased from Petco.

💬 Jenna Bush Hager handled the live television snafu with humor, keeping her pet completely safe despite the stubborn zipper.

✨ Morning television moments rarely go according to script, especially when live animals and online clothing orders collide.

👇 Have you ever ordered pet gear online that failed in real life? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!