After more than a decade at NBC, Sheinelle Jones is (formally) taking her talents to the 10 a.m. hour with Today‘s Jenna Bush Hager.
Jones’ new gig was announced on Tuesday, December 9. Hager has previously cohosted with Hoda Kotb for 5 years. Kotb shocked longtime fans when she announced in September 2024 her plans to leave the Today show.
Jones worked for local outlets for years before joining NBC News in 2014. Much like Hager, she joined 3rd Hour Today in 2019 and became a coanchor on the Saturday editions of Weekend Today. After becoming one of the hosts of the third hour of Today on weekdays, Jones made headlines when she took a hiatus because of a family matter.
“I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show,” she wrote via Instagram in January 2025. “It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.”
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After Jones’ lengthy absence from the Today show, her cohosts Savannah Guthrie, Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Dreyer and Hager announced her husband Uche Ojeh‘s death. Ojeh died in May 2025 after a private cancer battle.
“There may be some people who are watching and they’ll say, ‘Why didn’t she share? Why did she hold this for so long?’ And what I will tell you is that Uche was fiercely private,” Jones said during her return to Today in September. “I chose the spotlight, but he did not. He was not on Instagram, he wasn’t on Facebook.”
Jones recalled Ojeh asking her not to speak publicly about his health issues.
“When he got this diagnosis, he asked me, ‘Please, I wanna handle this privately.’ And he was so protective of us and the kids over the years that it was my turn to be protective,” she added. “And he was so loyal, so it was my turn to be loyal. And we honored that. Now I feel comfortable talking.”
Keep scrolling for more to know about Jones amid her major Today gig:
Where Did Sheinelle Jones Work Before the Today Show?
Jones’ first broadcast job was for WICS before she joined NBC News. She has also worked at KOKI-TV and FOX O&O. Jones joined Today in 2014 as part of Weekend Today and became a cohost on 3rd Hour Today five years later.
Off screen, Jones was the executive producer for the Stories We Tell: The Fertility Secret documentary, which explored the impact of fertility issues on women of color. Jones is currently also the host of Wild Child as part of the network’s Saturday morning educational block: The More You Know.
What Has Jenna Bush Hager Shared About Her Friendship With Sheinelle Jones?
The cohosts developed a bond after working together for years at Today. When Jones took time off amid a family matter, Hager showed support via Instagram, writing, “You are a queen and are LOVED beyond measure! Wrapping our arms around you, always.”
What Has Sheinelle Jones Shared About Her Personal Life?
After meeting Ojeh in the ’90s at Northwestern University, the couple started dating and got married in 2007. They shared three kids: Kayin, Clara and Uche. Jones previously gushed about how supportive Ojeh has been of her endeavors such as running the New York City marathon.
“They say it’s one of the best days of your life. It transcends running. And every time you feel like you can’t run anymore, there’s somebody cheering your name,” Jones recalled on Today on 2023. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If there’s anybody listening to me, and you’ve ever wanted to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone, do it.”
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Why Did Sheinelle Jones Take a Hiatus Before Filming ‘Today’?
After Ojeh was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, Jones took a leave of absence from Today. She announced his death in May 2025 at age 45. Jones returned to work four months later in September 2025.
“In this moment, I’m OK. Day-to-day, I’m OK. From a macro picture, how am I doing? My heart is shattered in a million pieces,” Jones told Savannah Guthrie at the time. “The life that I’ve known since I was 19 is no more. I always wanted kids, and I have three kids of my own now and they lost their dad. I’m their mom, and it sucks. So, how am I doing? It’s day-to-day. I’m proud of myself for how I’ve coped so far. I’m proud of my kids for how we’ve been able to pull through, but it’s horrible.”
She continued, ‘To watch a 45-year-old do triathlons and live and breathe off of soccer and his kids? To take a guy like that, and watch him have to deal with this fight was a nightmare,” she recalled. “The way he fought it and the way we rallied together and the way we saw the best of humanity was beautiful. So, it was my beautiful nightmare.”
What Show Did Fans Think Sheinelle Jones Would Join Before ‘Today’ Gig?
Jones previously squashed speculation she would be part of the new cast of The Real Housewives of New York City.
“Relax, I’m not on this next season. Everyone’s like, ‘Are you really?!’ Look at [Andy Cohen]. He’s, like, salivating. It’s just good television,” she told Cohen when he was a guest in September. “Leave me alone.”
