NBC’s Today Show announced Jenna Bush Hager’s co-host replacement almost a year after Hoda Kotb’s departure. The pair hosted the fourth hour for almost five years.
Since Hoda left, Jenna has co-hosted her show with a rotating roster of friends this past year. This included actress Scarlett Johansson, Amy Poehler and Matt Rogers, among others.
Sheinelle Jones will co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager
Sheinelle Jones is now Jenna Bush Hager’s permanent co-host on Jenna & Friends. She takes her spot on January 12.
Jenna announced the news on today’s Jenna & Friends episode. “Over the last year, you guys, I’ve had the privilege of co-hosting this show with 60 incredible friends — I didn’t think I was going to cry before we even started — who’ve opened up to me, who inspired me … today, I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve found my forever friend and we are going to start a brand new journey in January,” she said. “I couldn’t be more excited to share this person with you all. You all know her; she’s an extraordinary broadcaster but more importantly, she exemplifies what this show is all about.”
After the announcement, Sheinelle came out from behind the stage and took her seat. “I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or scream — I don’t know!” she exclaimed.
The Today show also announced the news via Instagram, writing, “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! While Sheinelle will start co-hosting TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle in the new year, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer will remain co-hosts of the Third Hour.”
Sheinelle joined Today in 2014, appearing regularly on the show’s third hour. She returned to Today after taking a months-long leave of absence when her husband, Uche Ojeh, died of brain cancer last May. She said at the time, “There are times where if I could just stay in bed … it would be amazing, but I can’t do that because I have three little beings who are watching me.” Sheinelle has three children, Kayin, 16, and 13-year-old twins Clara and Uche.
TELL US – IS SHEINELLE A GOOD FIT FOR TODAY’S FOURTH HOUR?
