Sheinelle Jones Named Today Show Cohost with Jenna Bush Hager

Nearly a year after Hoda Kotb's departure from NBC's Today show, the program has named Sheinelle Jones as the permanent cohost for its 10 a.m. hour alongside Jenna Bush Hager. The duo will debut in their new roles on January 12, with the segment rebranded as Today with Jenna and Sheinelle.

The announcement came during Tuesday's live broadcast, where Bush Hager, visibly emotional, shared the news with viewers. "Today I am so thrilled to announce that I found my forever friend, and we are going to start a brand new journey in January," she said through tears. "There's nobody I would rather sit next to." Jones, a longtime Today contributor, joined her on set in a prerecorded segment, also fighting back tears. "I don't know whether to laugh or cry or scream," she said, reflecting on the moment as one that felt divinely orchestrated, especially following the recent death of her husband.

Jones's selection ends a period of rotating guest hosts for the slot, which has featured a diverse lineup since Kotb stepped away in January. Celebrities and colleagues including Scarlett Johansson, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Dwayne Wade, and Eva Longoria have filled the role temporarily under...