Deidre Hall slapped Craig Melvin during a live 'Today' show interview on 19 June 2026, but the moment that appeared to shock viewers was in fact a controlled, prearranged demonstration that Melvin himself requested. The brief exchange, delivered after Hall explained the technique beforehand, immediately prompted surprise among audiences before the segment continued with audience laughter and applause.
The 78-year-old 'Days of Our Lives' star struck Melvin, 47, after Melvin praised her slapping abilities and said, 'It would be one of the greatest professional honours of my life if you would slap me', creating a theatrical pause as the host dramatically threw his head back and pretended to cry out in pain. Within minutes, the Craig Melvin Today show slap video began circulating widely online, with viewers asking the same question: did Deidre Hall really slap Craig Melvin?
