Sheinelle Jones has made an emotional debut as Jenna Bush Hager’s permanent co-host on the brand new Today with Jenna & Sheinelle show.
There was not a dry eye in the house during Monday’s premiere, which held multiple surprises: a video message sent from her mom in Kansas, a visit from two aspiring journalism students at her alma mater, and an unexpected toast with former co-hosts Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.
Kotb and Gifford, who arrived on the show with a flaming torch to pass on to the new co-anchors, gave Jones a hug and wished her luck as they reflected on the friendship they grew while sharing the desk.
Jones, 47, announced in December she would be stepping away from the third hour of Today with Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer to join Hager as Hoda Kotb’s replacement.
Her new role as the fourth hour co-host comes less than a year after her husband, Uche Ojeh, died of brain cancer aged 45 last year.
During an emotional moment Monday, Jones said that Ojeh always dreamed of her having her own show, and encouraged her to pursue it when Kotb announced she was leaving Today at the end of 2024.
“He felt like it was my turn to shine and to try,” Jones said through tears. “So now it just feels like confirmation. Here we are two years later, and he’s like ‘Told you.’”
Hager replied, “I know he’s looking down with your grandmother, who you also just recently lost, and they’re probably dancing to our new [theme] song and cheering you on.”
Later in the show, Jones was also surprised with a visit from Kassandra Fleming Hayes, the woman who inspired her to become a journalist.
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Hayes and Jones, who have not seen each other in more than 30 years, sat down and spoke about their journeys to becoming broadcast news journalists.
Jones credited Hayes as her role model saying, “It takes someone else sometimes to see you back…I was just in awe of you.”
The show brought out emotions from viewers as well as the hosts as fans took to social media to congratulate Jones on the new role.
“Wow didn’t know I was going to cry watching the Jenna & Sheinelle show on @TODAYshow ! Congratulations @SheinelleJones ! It was meant to be! @JennaBushHager & you will have a lot of fun!” one X user wrote.
Another added, “Suddenly I’m crying with Sheinelle. She’s the perfect cohost for Jenna.”