Hoda Kotb’s ‘Today’ replacement finally revealed as Sheinelle Jones
“Today with Jenna and Sheinelle” will debut in January with new cohost Sheinelle Jones.
Hoda Kotb is giving her “Today” show replacement a stamp of approval.
Following news that Sheinelle Jones would permanently fill the seat left vacant in January by Kotb alongside Jenna Bush Hager on “Today with Hoda and Jenna,” the longtime NBC anchor took to Instagram to signal her support.
“OK. I am weeping,” she wrote. “Just watched Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones show us what a match made in heaven looks like. So proud of you both.” Kotb also wrote beneath a post from the official “Jenna and Friends” Instagram account: “Puzzle pieces that fit perfectly.”
NBC announced earlier this week that Jones would join Bush Hager for the closely watched fourth hour of the “Today” show. “Today with Jenna and Sheinelle” will debut Monday, Jan. 12.
Jones, 47, served as cohost of the “3rd Hour of Today” alongside weatherman Al Roker, meteorologist Dylan Dreyer and Savannah Guthrie’s main hour co-anchor, Craig Melvin. Her hiring as Bush Hager’s partner comes after a monthslong hiatus from the “Today” show punctuated by the death of her husband of 17 years, Uche Ojeh, in May. Ojeh died from an aggressive form of brain cancer. Jones stepped away from the program in December 2024 and returned in September.
After nearly a year of musical chairs since Kotb’s departure, Jones emerged as the last woman sitting. Bush Hager has hosted the fourth hour, temporarily dubbed “Jenna & Friends,” with a rotating slate of celebrities filling in as her cohost.
Over the months, she’s welcomed a cast of A-listers and Hollywood mainstays that included Dwyane Wade, Ciara, Scarlett Johansson, 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” stars Chloe Fineman, Amy Poehler, Cheri Oteri, Mikey Day and Ana Gasteyer all took turns in the left seat. “The Voice” judge Kelsea Ballerini and Little Big Town member Kimberly Schlapman joined the show, too.
Announcing Jones’ new gig at the top of Tuesday’s show, Bush Hager became emotional just a few words in.
“Today, I am so thrilled to announce I have found my forever friend, and we are going to start a brand new journey in January,” she told audiences. “I couldn’t be more excited to share this person with you all.”
Contributing: Pamela Avila, Erin Jensen, Brendan Morrow and Jay Stahl, USA TODAY