Sheinelle Jones Believes Late Husband Is Watching Over Amid ‘Devine’ New Role at ‘Today’

Sheinelle Jones believes her late husband, Uche Ojeh, helped her to land a permanent role alongside Jenna Bush Hager.

Jones appeared on Today with Jenna & Friends on Tuesday, December 9 to discuss teaming up with Hager for the fourth hour of the newly named Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, which is set to premiere January 12, 2026.

The TV host was confirmed as the permanent host earlier this week, and she believes Ojeh, who died in May aged 45, from an aggressive form of brain cancer, played his part.

“When I came back from leave, I talked about fighting for my joy. This is what it looks like. It feels divine,” Jones said on the show, per People. “It feels like Uche’s up there with God. 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,'” she said.

Jones was chosen as a replacement for Hoda Kotb — who exited the show in January — after she was among 60 people who were part of a guest host rotation alongside Bush Hager.

She has children Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., both 13, with the late Ojeh, and revealed her job news gave them some much-needed joy.

Bush Hager told her: “Your kids must be so proud of you for everything, for your strength, for your grace, for you showing up for them day after day.”

Jones replied: “They were. I told my kids first. Kay was in the school library — he sent me a selfie that was the cutest thing — and the twins, I went and got wine and I gave them 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,” she added, “and we needed that joy.”

Jones’ appearance on the show comes a year after she stepped back to care for her family amid Ojeh’s health battle.