After nearly a year of experimenting with guest co-hosts, Jenna Bush Hager has finally found her perfect on-screen match.
The Today show presenter, 44, announced on Tuesday morning that Sheinelle Jones, 47, will officially join her as the permanent co-host of the newly renamed Today with Jenna & Sheinelle starting in the New Year.
This marks a major transition for the morning show, as Jones steps into the role previously held by Hoda Kotb.
While Bush Hager and Jones will lead the revamped program, familiar faces like Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer will continue their roles on the Third Hour Today.
A Heartfelt Welcome
During the live announcement, Bush Hager couldn’t hide her excitement, telling Jones, “I am so excited.
I think everything you said about what we are going to build together that can bring hope, that can share friendship. There is nobody I’d rather sit next to.”
Jones, in turn, shared a touching moment with viewers about a call she received from Kotb the night before.
“She gave me 45 seconds of just wisdom that changed me,” Jones recalled.
Kotb’s advice reminded her to cherish this milestone as a career-defining moment, both professionally and personally.
“She said, ‘Working with Jenna is going to be better than you could ever imagine.
You are going to love it,’” Jones said with a smile, visibly moved by the encouragement.
Triumph Amid Tragedy
Jones’ promotion comes after a deeply challenging year.
Seven months ago, she lost her husband, Uche Ojeh, to glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
She opened up emotionally on the show about the struggles she faced while caring for her husband and their three children.
“A year ago at this time, I decided I should step back and be with my husband,” Jones tearfully told viewers.
“And we were in a fight. And, you know, you couldn’t write this script.”
Having been part of the Today family for over a decade, Jones first joined Weekend Today in 2014 and became a co-host on the Third Hour Today in 2019.
In November 2024, she took family medical leave to care for her husband before returning to the show in September to share her grief and the journey of coping with loss alongside her children.
“My heart is shattered in a million pieces,” Jones told co-host Savannah Guthrie.
“The life that I’ve known since I was 19 is no more… But I’m here.”
The Search for a Permanent Co-Host
The announcement ends an 11-month search for a permanent co-anchor following Kotb’s departure in January.
During that time, Bush Hager hosted Today with Jenna & Friends with a rotating lineup of guest co-hosts, ranging from her husband Henry Hager to actress Scarlett Johansson.
Earlier this year, an insider revealed that the network wasn’t rushing to find a replacement, allowing Bush Hager to explore the chemistry with various guest hosts.
By April, Bush Hager confirmed she would eventually settle on a permanent partner to maintain the kind of connection viewers had loved with Hoda.
“We are totally enjoying having this rotation, but we will get a permanent host because we want the audience to feel that connection that Hoda and I had,” Bush Hager said.
“It’s been fun and challenging for everyone, but at some point, we needed someone permanent, and Sheinelle is that person.”
A Bright Future for the Show
With Jones officially joining as co-host on January 12, fans can expect a renewed energy and heartfelt camaraderie on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
Bush Hager’s long search and the emotional journey Jones has endured promise a show that’s not just informative but also deeply human.
The new duo is poised to continue building a morning program that brings hope, connection, and warmth to viewers every day.
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