If you’ve turned on the TV recently and felt like something shifted in the morning landscape, you aren’t imagining it. Where is Sheinelle Jones today? As of January 2026, she is exactly where many of us hoped she would eventually be, though the path to get there was honestly brutal.
On January 12, 2026, Sheinelle officially took her seat as the permanent co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY, now rebranded as Today with Jenna & Sheinelle. It’s a massive career milestone. She’s filling the chair left by the legendary Hoda Kotb, who stepped away in early 2025.
But if you look closely at her eyes during those 10:00 a.m. segments with Jenna Bush Hager, there’s a depth there that wasn’t there a few years ago. It’s the look of someone who has survived a literal nightmare and is trying to figure out how to be happy again.
The Big Promotion and the Message from the Past
The transition wasn’t just a simple "internal hire." It was a culmination of years of filling in and proving she had that specific, bubbly-yet-grounded energy the fourth hour requires.
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During her debut this week, Sheinelle shared something that kind of broke everyone’s heart. She found an old text message from her late husband, Uche Ojeh. Years ago, when Hoda first hinted she might eventually leave, Uche sent Sheinelle a string of emojis. He told her then—back when she didn't believe it—that this was her seat.
"I did not plan to share this," she admitted on air, "but now it feels like confirmation."
It’s bittersweet. She’s at the pinnacle of her career, but the person who predicted it isn't here to see it.
A Year of "Swimming Through Mud"
To understand why Sheinelle’s presence on screen feels different today, you have to look at the last twelve months. It has been a gauntlet of grief.
In May 2025, Uche Ojeh passed away at only 45 years old. The cause was glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive and cruel form of brain cancer. They were high school sweethearts. They’d been married since 2007. They have three kids—Kayin, who is now 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., who are 13.
Sheinelle was remarkably private during the fight. She took a leave of absence in late 2024 to be his caregiver, but she didn't blast the details on Instagram. She honored his wish for privacy.
When she returned to the TODAY 3rd Hour in September 2025, she was honest about the reality of loss. She told Savannah Guthrie that her heart was "shattered." In a recent People cover story published just this week (January 14, 2026), she used a phrase that a lot of people dealing with loss will recognize: she said every day feels like "swimming through mud."
What Happened to Her Spot on the 3rd Hour?
Since Sheinelle moved to the 10:00 a.m. hour to join Jenna, there’s a hole in the 9:00 a.m. slot. For years, the trio of Sheinelle, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer (with Craig Melvin) was a staple of the 3rd Hour.
Here is the current setup for that hour:
- Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and Craig Melvin remain the core anchors.
- NBC isn't rushing to find a "new Sheinelle." They are currently using a rotating desk of NBC News correspondents to fill that fourth seat.
- Sheinelle’s official send-off from the 3rd Hour happened on January 2, 2026, in a segment that was basically one long tear-fest.
Life at Home: Parenting Through the Pain
Sheinelle is currently living in their family home in New York, trying to navigate the "new normal" for her three teenagers.
She’s been very open about the fact that she can’t "fix" this for them. As a mom, that’s the hardest part. She mentioned that while people see her smiling on TV and assume she’s "better," grief doesn't work like that. It’s more about carrying the weight while also allowing room for laughter.
Honestly, it’s her vulnerability that’s making the new show work. She and Jenna Bush Hager have been friends for years—they used to be the "fill-in" duo for Kathie Lee and Hoda a decade ago. That comfort level is real. There’s no "getting to know you" phase; they’re already in sync.
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Why Sheinelle Jones Still Matters (and Why We’re Watching)
The reason people are searching for "where is Sheinelle Jones today" isn't just because of a job change. It’s because she represents a very human struggle: how do you show up for work and be "on" when your personal life has been leveled?
She calls empathy her "new superpower."
She’s also still involved in her other projects, like hosting Wild Child on NBC’s Saturday morning block and her advocacy for health and wellness in the Black community. But the 10:00 a.m. hour is her main focus now.
Moving Forward: Actionable Takeaways
If you’re following Sheinelle’s journey because you’re also navigating a "new chapter" or dealing with loss, her recent interviews offer some actual substance:
- Acknowledge the "Mud": Don't feel pressured to be "back to normal." Sheinelle’s honesty about her struggle despite her success is a reminder that you can be successful and grieving at the same time.
- Lean into Friendships: The transition to the 4th hour worked because she was moving toward a "safe" person (Jenna). In times of transition, gravitate toward your "safe" people.
- Find Your "Win": She called this job her first "win" since her husband's passing. It’s okay to celebrate career milestones even when your heart is heavy.
Sheinelle Jones is exactly where she needs to be—turning her private pain into a public connection with an audience that clearly adores her. She isn't "over" her loss, but she is, as she says, fighting for her joy every single morning at 10:00 a.m.