It’s barely light out when Dwyane Wade arrives at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Traveling into Midtown Manhattan from Long Island, Wade has been on the road since before 5 a.m., “because of the tunnels” and all.
It’s Day 3 of his week-long co-hosting gig on TODAY with Jenna & Friends, and he’s escorted into the building by a single security guard. It’s still too early for the tourists, so the atrium near Studio 1A is silent and empty.
Soon it’ll be filled with show guests booked on TODAY for July 9, like “Superman” stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan and WWE’s Nikki Bella, as well as onlookers from the TODAY plaza, peeking through the windows, hoping to get a glimpse of some of their favorite personalities.
Though it’s an early roll call, Wade shows up with a warm smile on his face and he bends his 6’4” frame down for a hug. There’s no trace of anxiety over the long day ahead.
As one of the most decorated shooting guards in NBA history, combating nerves is familiar territory — and if he’s got them today, he isn’t letting on.
It’s Wade’s second time co-hosting with Jenna Bush Hager. So, while he’s not a seasoned pro quite yet, it’s not his first rodeo either. The NBA hall of famer co-hosted for a week earlier this year in March, stepping in as one of the many co-hosts that have joined the show since Hoda Kotb’s departure in January.
And even though he doesn’t need to show up as early as he does, it’s part of his routine.
“I get here at 6:30 a.m. to give myself time to do all the things I need to do. I do not like rushing,” he says.
From the live show at 10 a.m. to a variety of segment tapings in between, Wade has a full schedule of events ahead, and he invites TODAY.com to go behind the scenes with him for the day, to find out what it’s really like to be a co-host for Jenna & Friends.
6:30 AM: Getting in the Zone
By the time Wade walks into his green room, the vibe has already been set.
Donato Smith and Sam Fine, Wade’s barber and makeup artist, respectively, have been preparing for his arrival. There’s a candle on the vanity, along with an assortment of items neatly spread out including eye drops, razors, a music speaker and medicine for the toothache he’s been battling.
“It just showed up on Monday,” Wade says of the unexpected setback. “It was about seven hours of throbbing, and I was like, ‘I’m going to have to call out tomorrow, but that’s not going to be good.’”
Fortunately, a prescription of antibiotics has helped take the edge off, and the sick day is averted. But once the week is over, he’ll need to see his dentist. Stat.
Sitting on a nearby couch is Wade’s cousin, Kenny Kinder. According to Kinder, he’s Wade’s housekeeper but not in the traditional sense. Rather, he’s someone who’s been invited in to help out and is a trusted part of the family.
So much so, that he, Wade, and four other members of their inner circle share the same rose tattoo, calling themselves the “Rose Boys.”
While Wade and Kinder chat, Fine sticks on a couple of eye patches. They seem unnecessary since it doesn’t appear like Wade has any morning bags, but since he’s going to be on live television, it can’t hurt.
