Former 'Today' Host Kathie Lee Gifford Opens Up About A 'More Powerful Dream' She Has In Her Career

Gettyimages | NBC

Kathie Lee Gifford's announcement of her departure from 'Today' has been one that fans have been saddened by, but with the plethora of creative endeavours that Gifford has planned, its surely not the last they'll see of the media personality.

Gifford, who departed 'Today' last April, has never truly opened up about her childhood goals, but now that she is no longer hosting the popular NBC show, she is increasingly more inclined to discuss the major dreams she has had beyond her television appearances.

While speaking to Today following her departure, Gifford was candid about where she was at mentally.

"I have no expectations. You just want to bear it well. … You also want to remind people of why this show worked in the beginning — because we have fun. We have a great love and affection and respect for our audience," she told the show she had called home for years, in reference to how much the program has resonated with fans since the beginning.

Gettyimages | John Medina

In reference to her move to Nashville, Tennessee, Gifford was also quoted saying, "It’s the most creative place in the world. It’s just this constant, like, what any artist experiences when they’re in their full joy, full zone."

However, her move didn't signal her retirement, as she told D Magazine, "I did not retire from life, I retired from a certain show. I’d had it with daytime television. I’ve been living it for 35 years, off and on. I was ready to manage my time completely on my own."

Gettyimages | Gregg DeGuire

"I realized that for the first time in my life that I was completely free to do whatever I wanted to do," Gifford went on to add.

However, hosting 'Today' wasn't always her goal, as she shared that she has always had ambitions towards the silver screen, to sing and act in films.

Maybe it is someone else’s dream job,” she mentioned to AARP “But there was a more powerful dream within me that had yet to be fulfilled. All I ever wanted to do, from the time I was a little girl, was sing and be in movies."

Gettyimages | John Lamparski

Since departing her position on 'Today,' Gifford has been very proactive about bringing those childhood dreams to reality to the best of her abilities. She has worked on a number of creative endeavours in the last year, including songwriting, recording music, as well as directing the short film 'The God Who Sees.' Clearly her daytime television departure has only been a productive move, allowing Gifford to finally act on those wishes she has kept on the back burner for so many years.