E!’s Justin Sylvester Reveals Advice Kyle Richards Gave Him Before Joining Jenna & Friends as Guest Co-Host (Exclusive)

Justin Sylvester may have spent the week co-hosting Jenna & Friends with Jenna Bush Hager, but it’s the advice he got from his longtime pal Kyle Richards that really helped him feel ready to take on the gig.

“Kyle Richards is always my rock, and her just reminding me to be myself and reminding me that I got this was huge,” he tells PEOPLE in an exclusive chat about his time in the big seat next to Bush Hager.

Sylvester, 38, and Richards, 56, have been friends for many years, dating back to Sylvester’s time as Richards’ assistant when she first started on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Sylvester also has a history with Bush Hager, too. He first co-hosted the show with her in 2022 as a fill-in for Hoda Kotb, and he regularly contributes to the fourth hour’s “The Scoop” segment all about the latest pop culture news in Hollywood.

Sylvester was overjoyed to get the call inviting him to guest co-host for the entire week. He also made a little bit of history, too.

“This is something that I had been praying for and something that I hoped would happen since the day I found out about Jenna & Friends,” he says, “and to be the first gay BFF was kind of an honor.”

Since kicking off Jenna & Friends in January, Bush Hager’s slate of co-hosts has included Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Keke Palmer, Michelle Buteau, Scarlett Johansson, Kelsea Ballerini, Kimberly Schlapman, Ciara, Wynonna Judd, Ego Nwodim, Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer, Mikey Day, Cheri Oteri, Chloe Fineman and Today‘s own Willie Geist.

While Sylvester helped Bush Hager helm the broadcast from Feb. 18-21, comedian Heather McMahan will join the show next week. And, after spending four days on set, the E! News host says he’s not at all surprised by the immediate success of Jenna & Friends.

“Anybody who sits next to Jenna immediately will feel like home,” says Sylvester. “She’s so southern, and us Southern girls are so welcoming, but just to see her in this journey, taking on this role has been a blessing for me, and I’m just so proud to say I have been there since day one.”

He adds of Bush Hager: “I just am reminded every time I see her as to how funny she is. I’m always in stitches in the makeup room, always in stitches during commercial break, and always in stitches on set. I mean, this girl is so funny and just so down to earth, you wouldn’t believe it.”

Sylvester grew up watching the Today Show, and he says he’s also always been a fan of Al Roker, whose warm greeting in the studio this week made him feel right at home.

“I grew up with all of these people, so to see myself in a monitor or in a photo on that set is so surreal. I’ve been doing The Scoop segment for the last four years, but it’s different when you sit in the chair and you co-host on one of the biggest morning platforms,” he says. “It’s fun to hear, ‘Oh, my mom is a big fan of yours,’ or, ‘My aunt just totally loves you.’ I just love it.”

As for whether or not fans can expect to see him back on the show beside Bush Hager any time soon, Sylvester is busy manifesting.

“Listen, if Jenna said, ‘Will you come hang out with me at Trader Joe’s?’ I would come,” he says with a laugh. “Anyone who gets to sit in that seat should feel honored, and if she wanted me back there, I would be there in a drop of a hat.”

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E! News airs Mondays-Thursdays at 11 p.m. ET on E!, and Jenna & Friends airs weekdays at 10 a.m. on NBC.