NEED TO KNOW
Sheinelle Jones shared her three kids’ reaction to the news that she’s going to be the permanent co-host of the fourth hour of Today
Jones returned to the Today show in September after an extended leave of absence following her husband Uche Ojeh’s death in March
Jones and Ojeh shared kids Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., both 13
Sheinelle Jones is going to be the new co-host on the fourth hour of the Today show!
And no one is more excited than the longtime broadcaster’s three kids, Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., both 13, whom she shared with her late husband, Uche Ojeh.
“I told my kids first,” Jones told her new co-host Jenna Bush Hager while opening up about new role on Tuesday, Dec. 9. “So Kay was in the school library and I went and got wine and I gave [the twins] water and I said, ‘Guys, we have to take a selfie.’ And they were so happy for me. There was so much joy in our house and we needed that joy.”
Jenna and Friends/Instagram
Sheinelle Jones with her kids Kayin, Uche Jr., and Clara.
Jones’ husband Ojeh died of brain cancer in May. She had been on a leave of absence from the NBC morning show for months prior to the news of his death.
“When I came back from leave, I talked about fighting for my joy,” Jones recalled. “This is what it looks like. It feels divine. It feels like Uche’s up there with God, like, he’s Mr. Competitive. He’s like, ‘Alright, let’s make this happen for Sheinelle.’ I put on his shirt this morning and I said a little prayer and I’m like, ‘Let’s go be with — not my friend but my sister.’ ”
Jenna and Friends/Instagram
Sheinelle Jones with her kids Kayin, Clara and Uche Jr.
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Reflecting on how different her life is from this time last year, Jones added, “You couldn’t write this script.”
“Here’s the truth of the matter, and everybody knows, God, a year ago at this time was tough for me. A year ago at this time I decided I should step back and be with my husband and we were in a fight,” she said of her decision to privately step back from the Today show.
Jones added that she wanted her new role to be a symbol of hope for viewers who might have experienced similar struggles to her own.
Jenna and Friends/Instagram
Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones announce Jones’ new role on ‘Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.’
“For those of you who are holding something, whether it’s grief or pain or whatever you’re holding, I just want you to know, if you see me here, that means you can do it too,” she shared. “And we’re all gonna fight for our joy. If you see me laughing and when you see me having a good time with my sister-friend here. That means you can get up and conquer your day too.”
Today with Jenna & Sheinelle will premiere on Monday, Jan. 12. The new show comes nearly a year after former co-host Hoda Kotb exited Today to spend more time with her kids Haley Joy, 8, and Hope Catherine, 6.
Ever since, Bush Hager has welcomed more than 60 celebrity guest co-hosts on Today with Jenna & Friends.
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