The only person who may be happier than Nicole Scherzinger that that she received a Tony award nomination is Ken Jeong.
Scherzinger surprised Jeong when he co-hosted TODAY with Jenna & Friends on May 1, the same day Scherzinger notched a Tony Award nomination for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical for her work as Norma Desmond in the Broadway revival of “Sunset Boulevard.”
“She is my sister from another mister,” an elated Jeong said, noting they worked together as panelists for 10 seasons on “The Masked Singer.”
“I miss her terribly, but I saw her perform, as well. Just outstanding. I could not stop crying, just watching her onstage, to see my friend just absolutely crush (it) … I’m just so happy for her right now.”
Scherzinger then FaceTimed into the show.
“I’m fricking overjoyed right now,” she said. “I’m so, so happy. It’s been a crazy, crazy morning. I wish that I could be with you all.”
She then surprised Jeong by walking onto the set, where the pair hugged.
Jeong then looked very emotional as Scherzinger talked about their bond.
“We’ve always had that connection, ever since met,” she said. “It’s been like eight years ago from the beginning of ‘Masked Singer.’ He literally is my brother from another mother.”
Scherzinger also said Jeong was a voice of wisdom for her when she decided to leave “The Masked Singer.”
“And he has championed me from day one. This was a hard decision for me to make because I was going to have to say goodbye to some things, to my ‘Masked Singer’ family,” she said.
“I called Ken several times asking him life advice and he’s always been there for me. And then his whole family came to the show. Let me tell you. He was in the audience and he was so loud. It was hilarious. He was laughing before anyone else. I was like, ‘I wonder where Ken is.’ Then I heard him right in the beginning. I was like, ‘I know exactly where Ken is.’”
A teary Jeong hugged her again and reiterated how thrilled he is for Scherzinger.
“I’m just so proud of you. I have the same reaction as when I first saw you on that stage,” he said. “I literally was just in tears just watching you onstage and then just to see you here … It’s just so well-deserved.”
Jeong will see if he has even more reason to be excited for Scherzinger if she wins when the Tony Awards, hosted by “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo, air live June 8 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
