Jenna Bush Hager has locked in Sheinelle Jones as her permanent co-host after nearly a year of rotating guest stars on her Today franchise.
The 44-year-old presenter announced Tuesday that Jones, 47, will officially join her in the new year on the newly rebranded Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, replacing longtime co-host Hoda Kotb.
Jones is set to begin the role Jan. 12. Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer will continue as co-hosts of the show’s Third Hour.
Bush Hager became emotional while announcing the move on Tuesday’s episode, praising Jones as the right partner for the next chapter of the program.
“I am so excited,” Bush Hager told Jones.
“I think everything you said about what we are going to build together that can bring hope, that can share friendship. There is nobody I’d rather sit next to.”
Jones said Kotb, 61, personally reached out ahead of the announcement to offer advice about the career milestone.
“She gave me 45 seconds of just wisdom that changed me,” Jones said.
“She said, ‘Remember this moment. You are going to talk about how this was a moment that changed your career, and it was the best decision for your kids, for you.’”
The promotion comes after a difficult year for Jones, whose husband, Uche Ojeh, died seven months ago after battling glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
“A year ago at this time, I decided I should step back and be with my husband,” Jones said through tears on Tuesday.
“And we were in a fight. And, you know, you couldn’t write this script.”
Jones has been part of the Today family for more than a decade. She joined Weekend Today in 2014 and became a co-host of the Third Hour in 2019.
In November 2024, Jones took family medical leave from NBC News to care for her husband and their three children following his cancer diagnosis.
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