Today's Dylan Dreyer's latest replacement was revealed on May 19, 2026, while the co-host enjoyed a day off. Stepping in to cover for her was NBC News correspondent Emilie Ikeda.
This isn't the first time the 31-year-old has sat at the anchor's desk alongside Al Roker and Craig Melvin. Emilie, who has worked at NBC for five years, has appeared in 383 episodes of the Today Show between 2021 and 2026.
And while frequent viewers of the Today Show are familiar with Emilie, here's everything you need to know about the temporary co-host.
© InstagramEmilie grew up in Pennsylvania
The news correspondent grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia and attended North Penn High School, according to her LinkedIn. In 2022, Emilie reported on a story in her hometown. She announced the news on Instagram, writing: "'Emilie Ikeda in Philly' has a nice ring to it… Nothing can rain on this moment — my first chance to report in my hometown."
"Growing up, I dreamt of moving away and working in a new city (I even applied to Hawaii news stations)," Emilie continued. "But when I did… again, and again, and again, my affinity for 'home' only grew stronger. And so today, as I look up at William Penn perched on City Hall, I'm bursting with gratitude. Mom, just please don’t drive by during a live shot."
© InstagramShe studied journalism in college
Emilie left Philadelphia to study broadcast journalism, political science, and dance at American University in Washington D.C. After graduating in 2016, she launched her career as a journalist, working for WHAG TV and Fox News in Atlanta before landing at NBC.
© InstagramEmilie got married in 2022, in dramatic flare
The correspondent married her then-boyfriend Pat in 2022, but the wedding came with some drama. The night before her wedding in the Smoky Mountains, she and her almost-husband were walking on a dimly lit path when something attacked his ankle.
Pat was bit by a copperhead snake, with his ankle quickly growing numb. The two headed to the emergency room, the doctors explained they needed to observe Pat for 12 hours. Half a day later, he was discharged and hobbled down the aisle after marrying Emilie.
The correspondent detailed the intense story on Today, saying: "So to the snake, I say, thank you. Thank you for helping remind us of the most important thing on one of the most important days: each other."
© InstagramEmilie covered the Paralympics
Just a week before the 2026 Olympics began, Today's co-anchor Savannah Guthrie announced she would not be traveling to Milan due to her mom, Nancy Guthrie, going missing. In solidarity with Savannah, Craig Melvin also stayed back in New York.
Luckily for Emilie, she traveled to Milan to cover the international sports competition. Posing in front of the Duomo di Milano, Emilie shared her news to Instagram, writing: "From Cortina to Tesero to Milan… truly, la dolce vita!"
© Getty ImagesEmilie is Japanese
In 2023, Emilie opened up on the Today Show about her Japanese heritage. The news correspondent shared that her grandparents were interned during World War 2 when they were just seven years old.
In a segment aired on the Today Show, she paged through the 25-pound, 1,000-page book, known as the Ireicho, which lists all 125,284 names of the Japanese Americans who were affected by Executive Order 9066 in 1942. The Ireicho was on display in Los Angeles in 2023, and was stamped by those interned or their families.
"[My grandfather's] since passed, so it's so meaningful to get to stamp his name," Emilie said through tears of her grandfather's internment.
