Hoda Kotb (WireImage)
Even the “Today” show can’t ask questions about Beyoncé’s baby.
Co-anchor Hoda Kotb tried to have a friendly chat with the pregnant superstar’s sister, Solange Knowles, at Lord & Taylor’s Fashion’s Night Out bash, but was rebuffed by her pushy publicist, Charles Wade.
When Kotb approached Solange, who was DJ-ing in the store Thursday night, a source told us, Wade jumped in and barked at Kotb: “What do you want to talk to [Solange] about? She won’t answer questions about Beyoncé.” Kotb calmly replied she just wanted to say hi and ask her about the event.
Unrelenting Wade got back in Kotb’s face and blustered, “She won’t answer any questions about Beyoncé … I need to know what questions you’ll ask.”
Kotb politely replied, “No, thanks,” and sashayed over to talk to Ivanka Trump.
A rep for Kotb, who interviewed designers Kay Unger and Nanette Lepore instead, said, “Any member of the Knowles family is welcome on the ‘Today’ show.” Wade called our story “absolutely false” and added, “Hoda was simply informed that she didn’t want to speak about this issue, because it is indeed a very personal one, and Solange resumed her meet-and-greet with her supporters and continued having a great Fashion’s Night Out.”
Kotb’s run-in wasn’t the only tense moment at the store — one woman literally shopped until she dropped and was carried out on a stretcher after collapsing.
At Dolce & Gabbana, Anna Wintour, Katie Couric, LeAnn Rimes and Usher paid homage to Justin Bieber, who sat tucked away in a private room.
The pint-size pop star was rattled when an elevator halted briefly on the second floor and he told his team he wouldn’t get back in. He instead walked down the stairs, causing a scene as his security steered him through throngs of screaming teenage girls.