Sheinelle Jones will officially join Jenna Bush Hager as the permanent co-host of the Today Show’s 10 a.m. hour beginning Jan. 12. Here’s the full story.
After nearly a year of rotating guest co-hosts, heartfelt moments, and emotional transitions, NBC’s Today finally has a new permanent face for its 10 a.m. hour. On December 9, the show officially announced that Sheinelle Jones will step into the seat once filled by Hoda Kotb, joining Jenna Bush Hager as the co-anchor of what has long been one of morning television’s most beloved hours. Jones’ first day in her new role is set for January 12, marking a fresh start for the show that millions tune into daily.
The announcement itself was filled with emotion. As Bush Hager shared the news live on air, she immediately began tearing up, thanking viewers for standing by her during a year of transition.
“For the last year, I’ve had the privilege of co-hosting this show with 60 incredible friends,” she said. “I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve learned so much about myself — and the audience has been with me every step of the way. Thank you.”
Bush Hager then introduced Jones as her permanent partner moving forward, calling her “my forever friend” and “an extraordinary broadcaster” who perfectly embodies the heart of the show.
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A Friendship Years in the Making
Longtime viewers of Today were not surprised by the announcement — or by the emotional reaction that accompanied it. Jones and Bush Hager have known each other for more than a decade, having filled in together often during the eras of Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.
“We were always the fill-ins for Kathie Lee and Hoda,” Jones joked during a highlight reel of their years working together.
Bush Hager added, “This hour has always been about friendship. It began with Kathie Lee and Hoda — two women who built something beautiful out of laughter, compassion, and showing up for each other. To now sit next to Sheinelle, someone I’ve loved for years, and get to fall even more in love with her through this new journey… it feels right.”
Their on-screen chemistry makes the pairing feel seamless — warm, natural, and grounded in genuine connection.
A New Chapter for Sheinelle Jones
For Jones, the moment is far more than a career milestone. It represents purpose, healing, and new beginnings after an incredibly challenging year.
“I feel like it’s divine,” Jones said during the announcement. “I feel a responsibility in this role — to bring joy, to bring hope, to bring comfort. As healing and fun as this job is for me, I hope we can offer the same to people at home.”
Jones has been a familiar and beloved presence on Today since 2014. She began on Weekend Today before moving to the 3rd Hour in 2019 alongside Dylan Dreyer, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin.
But her personal life took a heartbreaking turn late last year when her husband, Uche Ojeh, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Jones stepped away from the show to care for him until his death in May at age 45.
She returned to Today on September 5 in a pre-taped conversation with Savannah Guthrie, opening up about the grief she continues to navigate.
“If you see me laughing on the show, root for me,” she said in that interview. “Because I’m fighting for my joy.”
Jones shared that she honors her husband by living fully: “Cancer doesn’t have to steal our joy. We can get up, we can go to work, we can squeeze the most out of the days we have. I feel like Uche’s heartbeat lives on in mine.”
Navigating Grief While Embracing a New Role
Since returning to work, Jones has spoken candidly about the difficulty of adjusting to life without her husband. She and her three children — Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche, 13 — have been navigating a “new normal,” which she described as a mix of resilience, exhaustion, and small victories.
In September, while guest-hosting Jenna + Friends, Jones described the moment she realized the full weight of her loss. Saturday mornings used to be a sacred ritual for her and Ojeh — a time to reflect on the week. After returning to work for the first full week since his passing, she admitted the absence hit hard.
“My coach was gone. My life partner,” she said. “Those first days were tough.”
Bush Hager, emotional herself, praised Jones on air: “I’ve never met anybody stronger.”
The bond between the two women was evident long before Jones was named permanent co-host. When Ojeh was ill, Bush Hager supported Jones behind the scenes — including sending treats for her kids and offering constant encouragement.
“You all have been my oxygen,” Jones told her colleagues when she returned in September.
A Legacy Continues at the 10 a.m. Hour
The 10 a.m. hour of Today has always been known for its warmth and relatability. From Kathie Lee and Hoda’s wine-filled antics to Hoda and Jenna’s heartfelt conversations, the show has centered on connection — something Jones and Bush Hager naturally embody.
Bush Hager, who has co-hosted the hour since 2019, recently said she deeply admired Kotb’s optimism and considered leading the hour without her longtime partner a “privilege and responsibility.”
Now, she steps into a new era with someone she respects and loves.
With Sheinelle Jones joining officially, Jenna & Friends comes to a close — and a new chapter begins.
One filled with friendship, purpose, shared stories, and two women ready to bring joy to millions every morning.