NBC host Sheinelle Jones has been named as the official co-host of the “Today” show’s fourth hour alongside Jenna Bush Hager—nearly one year after former star Hoda Kotb ended her yearslong reign on the hit segment.
Hager, 44, has spent close to 12 months rotating through a series of guest hosts, during which time Jones, 47, endured the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh, who passed away at the age of 45 in May after a secret battle with brain cancer.
Jones took an extended break from the hit NBC morning show while her husband was undergoing treatment, announcing in January that she would be absent from screens, explaining at the time that she was dealing with a family health matter.
The mother of three announced four months later that her husband of nearly 20 years had died.
In September, she opened up about her heartbreaking loss during an appearance on “Today,” when she described her grief as a “beautiful nightmare,” telling anchor Savannah Guthrie that her heart was “shattered into a million pieces.”
“The life that I’ve known since I was 19, is no more. I don’t run away from crying anymore when it comes to grief. I see it as, ‘OK, here comes my cleansing rain,’ and it’s OK,” she said.
Jones noted that she is taking things “day to day,” before revealing that she was “proud” of herself for “how I have coped so far.”
“It’s horrible. It’s just horrible. It stinks, but I am here and I’m OK,” she added.
Jones officially returned to her role as the co-host of the third hour of “Today” alongside Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer later that month—but will now take on a new job entirely, joining Hager in the fourth hour as a permanent feature from Jan. 12.
Hager made the announcement on Tuesday, describing Jones as an “extraordinary” talent who brings to life everything that her segment of the show is meant to offer viewers.
“You all know her, she’s an extraordinary broadcaster, but more importantly, she exemplifies exactly what this show is all about,” Hager said.
Meanwhile, Jones noted that the opportunity was “beyond [her] wildest dreams,” adding: “This is the real deal, and I get to do it with Jenna.”
Hager promptly burst into tears as the two embraced, saying: “I’m so happy you’re here. I knew I was going to cry before you walked out, I tried not to.”
NBC noted that Dryer and Roker will remain in their roles as co-hosts of the third hour of “Today” alongside Craig Melvin, who was also promoted to co-anchor of the main hour of the show when Kotb stepped down in January.
It marks a joyful milestone for Jones to round out what has been an incredibly difficult year, beginning in January when she took a step back from the show to be by her husband’s side during his cancer battle.
At the time, the on-air host thanked viewers for their support in a statement shared on her social media, although she did not reveal any other details about the “family health matter” she was dealing with.
“I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show,” she wrote. “I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter.
“It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not on the support of my ‘Today’ show family, but to also have all of you,” she added. “Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.”
It wasn’t until May that Jones revealed her husband—with whom she shared three children, son Kayin, 16, and 13-year-old twins Clara and Uche—had been struggling with the illness.
Though Jones did not appear on the “Today” show to announce the news of her husband’s death, her co-host, Guthrie, shared the devastating development with viewers in an on-air statement.
“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our dear friend and ‘Today’ cohost Sheinelle Jones has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” Guthrie told viewers at the time.
“There are no words for the pain that we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him.”
Jones and Ojeh tied the knot in 2007 and were living together at a stunning property in Livingston Manor, NY, when the “Today” host stepped back from her hosting duties to support her husband.
The couple are understood to have purchased the dwelling for just under $1.4 million in December 2020.
The home offers 4,762 square feet of living space on 53 acres with a “large stocked pond” and an in-ground heated pool, per its original listing description.
Inside the property, there is a library, formal dining room, and an enormous master suite, while there is an additional four-bedroom, two-bath guesthouse.
It’s thought that Jones and her family moved into the home after returning from a five-month getaway in South Carolina, where they quarantined during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, the “Today” host voiced her excitement at the prospect of beginning a “new adventure,” while gushing about the time that she and her loved ones had been able to spend isolating in such a picturesque location.
“Time to start a new chapter!” she wrote in an Instagram post highlighting her favorite images from their stay. “The last five months have been filled with so much uncertainty, but having this time together as a family has been the silver lining.
“It’s easier to stay isolated when you’re with people you love. (I wish I would’ve journaled!!!)… So thankful for what this time has taught me …. and the healing power of nature. Until next time South Carolina!”
Although Jones and her husband own a property outside of New York City, they did live in a Manhattan apartment at one point—with the on-air personality proudly flaunting the space in a story posted on Today.com.
She explained to the online outlet that she fell in love with the home’s high ceilings, corner window, and hardwood floors, having moved into the home after their family relocated from Philadelphia when she landed the role on “Today.”
