The Today Show has announced that Sheinelle Jones has finally become the permanent co-anchor for Jenna Bush Hager’s morning show. After going through 60 candidates as possible co-hosts for the fourth hour of Today, Hager revealed on Tuesday, December 9, that Jones would be filling in the chair as her co-anchor in mid-January. The 47-year-old host has been a part of The Today Show team for many years, co-anchoring the show’s weekend broadcast and the weekday editions of the NBC News show.
Sheinelle Jones becomes co-host of Today’s fourth hour
“You all know her, she’s an extraordinary broadcaster,” Hager said at the top of her show on Tuesday. “But more importantly, she exemplifies exactly what this show is all about.”
Jones couldn’t believe that her journey as led to this moment, particularly after a tumultuous year where she was absent on the show in May due to her husband’s struggle with brain cancer and his funeral later that month.
“To have a show like this is beyond my wildest dreams,” she said. “This is the real deal, and I get to do it with Jenna.”
During the announcement, Hager noted that the pair has a long history on the show, as they were both substitute anchors whenever former Today hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb were away from their anchor chairs.
Jones will be stepping back from the 3rd Hour of TODAY to fill in her new position with Hager starting on January 12, 2026, when the show’s name will officially change from “Today With Jenna & Friends” to “Today With Jenna & Sheinelle.” Craig Melvin, Dylan Dreyer, and Al Roker will continue their co-hosting duties for the show at 9 AM.
Libby Leist, Today executive vice president, and Talia Parkinson-Jones, Jenna & Friends executive producer, described the pair as “two extraordinary talents” who are “beloved for their authenticity, warmth and genuine connection” in a statement.
“Sheinelle has been a cherished member of NBC News for more than 11 years,” they continued. “From standout interviews with newsmakers and celebrities to her iconic Halloween performances as Beyoncé and Tina Turner, she has captivated audiences time and again.”
Jones said that she first shared the news of her becoming a permanent co-anchor with her children, Kayin, Clara, and Uche. “There was so much joy in our house, and we needed that joy,” she confessed. “When I came back from leave, I talked about fighting for my joy. This is what it looks like.”
