Nearly a year after Hoda Kotb bid a tearful farewell to NBC’s “Today,” Sheinelle Jones will fill Kotb’s role at the desk alongside Jenna Bush Hager during the morning show’s third hour.
Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush talk ‘I Loved You First’ and parenting
Sisters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Peace Bush talk with USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa about their new children’s book, “I Loved You First,” and more.
Almost a year later, Jenna Bush Hager will officially have a new partner in crime on the fourth hour of the “Today” show.
Shainelle Jones was announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9, as the new co-anchor of the show, which was known as “Today with Hoda and Jenna” until Hoda Kotb left the show in January.
“Today with Jenna and Sheinelle” debuts Monday, Jan. 12.
Bush Hager got emotional in just a few words he announced at the beginning of Tuesday’s show.
“Today I am so happy to announce that I have found my forever friend. We will be starting a brand new journey in January,” she said. “I couldn’t be more excited to share this person with you.”
Bush Hager described Jones as an “extraordinary broadcaster” who “really embodies the essence of this program.”
Jones, 47, co-hosted “Third Hour Today” along with forecaster Al Roker, meteorologist Dylan Dryer and Savannah Guthrie’s main hour co-anchor Craig Melvin.
Now she’s starting a new journey with Bush Hager.
Shainelle Jones says her new job on Today feels ‘sacred’
In a pre-recorded video package announcing Jones’ hiring, Bush Hager noted that he had served as a rotating temporary co-host, joking that he had “sixty first dates” and now “can’t wait to sit next to one of these beautiful souls.”
Jones, who announced her husband’s death from brain cancer in May, sat down with Bush Hager at her desk to open up about her difficult year.
“This time a year ago was a difficult time for me,” she said. “A year ago at this time, I decided I should step back and be with my husband. We were fighting, and you couldn’t write this script.”
When Jones told her children the news of her new job, she added, “There was so much joy at home and we needed that joy.”
“When I got back from vacation, I talked about fighting for my joy,” she said. “It feels like this. It feels divine.”
Jones also described Bush Hager as “not my friend, but my sister.”
Where was Sheinelle Jones during her absence from the ‘Today’ show?
The announcement comes after Jones took several months off from the “Today” show after her husband of 17 years, Uche Ojie, died of an aggressive brain tumor in May. Jones left the program in December 2024 and returned in September.
In a statement to Today viewers in January, Jones said she was “taking time to deal with the health issues of my family.” She added, “I never forget how lucky I am to have the support of all of you as well as my Today show family. Your kindness means so much to me.”
Jenna Bush Hager joins top-notch cast before Sheinelle Jones
Since Kotb’s departure, Bush Hager has briefly hosted the fourth hour, dubbed “Jenna & Friends,” with a rotating cast of celebrities serving as co-hosts.
Over the past few months, she’s hosted a cast of A-listers and Hollywood’s biggest names, including Dwyane Wade, Ciara, Scarlett Johansen, Olivia Munn, Brooke Shields, Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Michelle Buteau, and Regina Hall.
Comedian Heather McMahan, singer Wynonna Judd, E! News host Justin Sylvester and “Saturday Night Live” cast members Chloe Fineman, Amy Poehler, Cheri Oteri, Mikey Day and Ana Gasteyer all took turns sitting in the left seat. “The Voice” judge Kelsea Ballerini and Little Big Town member Kimberly Schlapman also attended the show.
Bush Hager’s husband Henry Hager, who works at a private equity firm, and her fraternal twin sister Barbara Pierce Bush also co-hosted the show as guests. Today stars Guthrie, Willie Geist and Donna Farizan also came forward to help.
Why did Hoda Kotb leave ‘Today’?
In October, Kotub opened up to USA TODAY about his decision to leave “Today,” saying he didn’t feel it was a risk or a loss.
“Oddly enough, at that point, it was the only option for me,” she said. “I have everything I want. I’m not jeopardizing anything. I have the love of my family. I have great colleagues who will remain friends forever. I have that.”
She continued: “So I didn’t feel like, ‘What am I missing out on?’
She said goodbye to the “Today” show in a tearful finale on Jan. 10, featuring her favorite singer Walker Hayes, “CBS Morning” veteran Gayle King and former 4th Hour co-host Kathie Lee Gifford.
Kotb, host of the popular podcasts “Today” and “Making Space,” has an ongoing relationship with the Peacock-forward network.
Contributors: Pamela Avila and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
