Jenna Bush Hager has a new 'Today' fourth hour host-find out who!
Jenna Bush Hager has a permanent new host by her side for the fourth hour of “Today!”
Jenna has had a string of rotating guest hosts since Hoda Kotb left the show in January, but now Sheinelle Jones is officially taking on the role full time.
During the December 9 episode, Jenna announced the news to viewers, saying, "Today I’m so thrilled to announce that I’ve found my forever friend and we’re gonna start a brand new journey in January. I couldn’t be more excited to share this person with you all. You all know her, she’s an extraordinary broadcaster. But more importantly, she exemplifies exactly what this show is all about."
Jenna reflected on her friendship with Sheinelle over the years, including the times they filled in for Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb together.
"I’m so excited about this new iteration of this show because it has been, first started by Kathie Lee and Hoda, a show about friendship, a show about the goodness that you can find in the world if you surround yourself with people who see you and who love you. So now to get to sit next to Sheinelle, I’ve known her for a decade but to get to fall even more in love with her,” she said.
Sheinelle has been with “Today” since 2014 and has been hosting the third hour of the show with Dylan Dreyer, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin since 2019, something she’ll continue to do.
Speaking of her new role in the fourth hour, Sheinelle said, "I feel like it’s divine, but I actually feel a responsibility in it where we can bring joy, we can bring hope, we can bring comfort," she said. "So just as healing as it is for me and fun, I hope we can bring that for people at home."
Sheinelle spoke about the fact that this time last year things were “tough” after the loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh. She had taken a leave of absence to care for him after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
"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. 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,” she said during the announcement of her new role.
