You’ve probably seen the headlines or caught a snippet of an emotional broadcast lately and wondered: is Sheinelle Jones leaving Today Show? It's a valid question. Television news moves fast, and when a familiar face disappears from their usual time slot, the rumor mill starts churning. Honestly, the answer is a bit of a "yes and no" situation that has everything to do with a major promotion and a deeply personal year for the veteran journalist.
Sheinelle isn't leaving NBC or the Today brand. Not by a long shot. But she did officially say goodbye to the 3rd Hour of Today on January 2, 2026.
If you tuned in that morning, you saw the tears. You saw Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer giving her a send-off that felt like a family graduation. Sheinelle had been a staple of that 9 a.m. slot since 2014. Change is hard. But the reason she left that specific hour is actually cause for celebration: she has moved up to become the permanent co-host of the fourth hour, now titled Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
Why Sheinelle Jones is leaving Today Show 3rd Hour
The move was formally announced back in December 2025. It followed a year of massive transition at the network. After Hoda Kotb stepped away from her daily hosting duties in early 2025 to focus on her family, Jenna Bush Hager spent months rotating through various guest hosts. NBC executives finally made it official—Sheinelle was the one.
This isn't just a schedule change. It's a massive career milestone.
Moving from an ensemble cast in the 3rd Hour to being the titular co-host of the 10 a.m. hour is a big deal in the world of morning TV. The new show, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, officially premiered on January 12, 2026. It features a custom theme song by Blessing Offor and a vibe that’s meant to feel like a "sisterhood."
Basically, she didn't leave the building; she just moved to a different desk down the hall.
A Year of Heartbreak and Resilience
To understand why this move is so emotional for Sheinelle, you have to look at the "why" behind her recent absences. If you feel like she’s been away a lot recently, you aren't imagining things. 2025 was arguably the hardest year of her life.
Sheinelle lost her husband, Uche Ojeh, in May 2025.
He was only 45 years old. He had been battling glioblastoma, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. Sheinelle had actually taken an extended leave of absence starting in late 2024 to be by his side. She stayed out of the spotlight to protect his privacy and care for their three children—Kayin, Clara, and Uche Jr.
When she returned to the 3rd Hour in September 2025, she told viewers she was "fighting for her joy." That phrase has become her mantra.
Then, right as she was preparing for her new hosting gig, tragedy struck again. On New Year's Eve, just days before her 3rd Hour exit, her beloved grandmother, Josephine, passed away at age 96. It’s been a lot. Any one of those events would be enough to make someone want to quit their job entirely. Instead, Sheinelle has leaned into the work as a way to honor the people she lost.
The Confirmation from Uche
There’s a story she shared during the premiere of her new show that has fans passing around the tissues. Apparently, back when Hoda Kotb first announced she was leaving, Uche told Sheinelle she would be the one to take the spot. She didn't believe him at the time. She was focused on his health and just getting through the day.
On her first day co-hosting with Jenna, Sheinelle revealed she found an old text message from him. It basically said, "I told you so."
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She mentioned that it felt like "confirmation" that she was exactly where she was supposed to be. It’s a bit surreal to watch someone navigate that level of grief while also reaching the pinnacle of their career.
What the 4th Hour Looks Like Now
So, what changes for you as a viewer?
If you’re used to seeing her at 9 a.m., you’ll need to adjust your DVR. The 3rd Hour will continue with Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer. Meanwhile, the 10 a.m. hour has been completely rebranded.
- New Schedule: Sheinelle and Jenna host Monday through Thursday.
- Fridays: Interestingly, the show doesn't tape on Fridays. Sheinelle mentioned this was a huge perk for her as a mother, especially now as a single parent navigating the busy lives of three teenagers.
- The "Wine Torch": During the premiere, morning TV legends Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb made surprise appearances to "pass the wine torch." It signaled that Sheinelle is the legitimate heir to that legacy of fun, chatty, and often irreverent morning television.
Addressing the "Leaving" Rumors
The reason "is Sheinelle Jones leaving Today Show" keeps trending is likely due to how NBC handled the transition. For several months in 2025, Sheinelle was off-air. Then she was back. Then she had a "farewell" episode on the 3rd Hour. To a casual viewer, seeing a "farewell" segment usually means someone is headed to a different network or retiring.
But Sheinelle was very clear in her goodbye: "You are not getting rid of me."
She has been incredibly open about her mental health during this process. In a recent People cover story, she admitted that she’s "not better" and that every day feels like "swimming through mud." This level of honesty is rare for a morning show host. Usually, they are expected to be perky 24/7.
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By staying on the show, she's trying to show other people who are grieving that it’s okay to hold both sadness and success at the same time.
How to Keep Up with Sheinelle
If you want to support her new chapter, here is what you can do:
- Watch the 4th Hour: Tune in at 10 a.m. (check your local listings) for Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
- Follow Her Journey: Sheinelle is very active on Instagram, where she often shares tributes to her grandmother and husband, as well as behind-the-scenes looks at her life with her kids.
- Send a Note: She recently revealed she has sent out over 1,200 thank-you notes to fans who reached out after Uche's death. She genuinely reads the mail from viewers.
Sheinelle Jones isn't going anywhere. She’s just growing. In an industry that can often feel superficial, her presence on the Today Show right now feels more grounded and necessary than ever. She’s proving that you can lose your world and still find a way to stand in the sun.
To stay updated on Sheinelle's new show and her journey through 2026, keep an eye on the official Today social media channels or check your local NBC listings to catch Today with Jenna & Sheinelle live.