JENNA & FRIENDS Finally Finds Permanent Co-Host

Published: December 11, 2025

By India McCarty

JENNA & FRIENDS has officially found its co-host — TODAY’s Sheinelle Jones has been named Jenna Bush Hager’s partner on the morning show.

“This marks an exciting new chapter for the fourth hour,” TODAY executive vice president Libby Leist and JENNA & FRIENDS executive producer Talia Parkinson-Jones said in a statement. “Jenna and Sheinelle are two extraordinary talents who have grown within the ranks of TODAY. They are beloved for their authenticity, warmth and genuine connection with our TODAY audience.”

Hager also revealed the news on a recent episode of JENNA & FRIENDS, telling viewers, “I have had the privilege of co-hosting this show with 60 incredible friends, who all opened up to me, who inspired me. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve made some incredible friends, and I’ve learned so much about myself.”

“Today, I am so thrilled to announce I have found my forever friend, and we are going to start a brand new journey in January…You all know her. She’s an extraordinary broadcaster, but more importantly, she exemplifies exactly what this show is all about,” she continued. “Please welcome my new co-host, Sheinelle Jones.”

View this post on Instagram

Jones, who joined her on set, added, “A year ago at this time was tough for me…I decided that I should step back and be with my husband.”

The TODAY anchor’s husband Uche Ojeh passed away earlier this year after a battle with brain cancer.

Jones then shared a story from her childhood, when she would sing solos in church, encouraged by congregation members who would tell her to “Let the Lord use you.”

“I feel like I can hear those folks now, and they’re saying, ‘Let the Lord use you,’” she shared.

Jones had previously served as a co-host on JENNA & FRIENDS following Hoda Kotb’s exit, along with celebrities ranging from actors like Taraji P. Henson, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry and Henry Winkler, musicians like Ciara, John Legend and Sheryl Crow, and comedians like Tiffany Haddish, Chelsea Handler, Wanda Sykes, Leanne Morgan and Nikki Glaser.

In their statement, Leist and Parkinson-Jones “applaud[ed] the unflappable Jenna Bush Hager and the entire JENNA & FRIENDS staff, who have kept the show vibrant and engaging with 60 different co-hosts since January!”

“The show didn’t skip a beat, as Jenna went on ‘first dates’ in front of millions of people,” they continued.

TODAY fans are happy that Hager has found her permanent host, and excited to see how Jones steps into this new role!

Questions or comments? Please write to us here.