After nearly a year of rotating 60 contenders, Jenna Bush Hager has found her permanent co-host for the fourth hour of TODAY: Sheinelle Jones!
Jenna announced Dec. 9 that Sheinelle will join her on the newly-named TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle. On Jan. 12, Sheinelle will become the fourth hour’s first permanent co-host since Hoda Kotb departed the show.
TODAY executive vice president Libby Leist and Jenna & Friends executive producer Talia Parkinson-Jones celebrated Sheinelle’s addition to the show.
“This marks an exciting new chapter for the fourth hour,” they said in a statement to TODAY staff. “Jenna and Sheinelle are two extraordinary talents who have grown within the ranks of TODAY. They are beloved for their authenticity, warmth and genuine connection with our TODAY audience.”
Sheinelle, 47, will step away from the 3rd Hour of TODAY to begin co-hosting Jenna & Sheinelle in the new year. Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer will remain co-hosts of the 9 a.m.
“Sheinelle has been a cherished member of NBC News for more than 11 years,” Leist and Parkinson-Jones said. “From standout interviews with newsmakers and celebrities to her iconic Halloween performances as Beyoncé and Tina Turner, she has captivated audiences time and again.”
Sheinelle took a turn as guest co-host of TODAY with Jenna & Friends in September, when the duo reminded viewers that they have plenty of experience co-hosting together.
At the time, Sheinelle also compared her guest co-hosting stint to a date.
“Hopefully this will be a date where you walk away and go, ‘OK, hopefully she calls me tomorrow!’” Sheinelle said to Jenna.
“You’re coming back,” Jenna promised.
Meet the co-hosts of TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle.Helen Healey / TODAY
Sheinelle’s guest co-hosting appearance occurred during her third week back at TODAY after the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh, 45, from brain cancer in May. She opened up to Jenna on Sept. 22 about returning to work following the loss of her husband of 17 years and the father of their three children.
“My coach was gone, right? My life partner. The days after my first week were tough. Because it’s my new normal,” she said.
Jenna also surprised her with a visit from “The Secret Society of Sheinelle” — six close friends who were by her side through her devastating loss.
“I am in shock,” Sheinelle said after they surprised her. “Aren’t my friends beautiful? They say it takes a village, and these ladies — Karleen, Torrie, Stephanie, Meki, Mia and Jolen, along with so many others, these girls are my sisters, and they’re my village. These are the girls who put me back together.”
Sheinelle was one of 60 co-hosts and guests who joined in the fun of the fourth hour following the debut of TODAY with Jenna & Friends on Jan. 13. Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson joined Jenna on the inaugural episode of Jenna & Friends and returned for another episode on Jan. 17.
In their statement to staff, Leist and Parkinson-Jones said they “applaud the unflappable Jenna Bush Hager and the entire Jenna & Friends staff, who have kept the show vibrant and engaging with 60 different co-hosts since January!”
“The show didn’t skip a beat, as Jenna went on ‘first dates’ in front of millions of people,” they added.
Other co-hosts and special guests included former first lady Michelle Obama and music luminaries like Ciara, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Kelsea Ballerini and Cardi B. Actors including Scarlett Johansson, Regina Hall, Rosie Perez, Leslie Bibb, Halle Berry and Henry Winkler have also sat beside Jenna.
There were also plenty of laughs along the way, with current and former “Saturday Night Live” stars Amy Poehler, Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Ana Gasteyer, Ego Nwodim and Cheri Oteri all guest co-hosting. Comedians Tiffany Haddish, Chelsea Handler, Wanda Sykes, Leanne Morgan and Nikki Glaser also leaving Jenna and TODAY fans cracking up.
Jenna’s husband, Henry Hager, has also joined her for multiple episodes, as well as other members of her TODAY family.
