If you’ve been sipping your coffee and wondering why the 3rd hour of the Today show feels a little different lately, you aren’t alone. For months, the desk felt like it had a missing piece. Fans have been flooding social media with one specific question: where has Sheinelle Jones from the Today Show been?
She's back now, but the story behind her absence is a lot heavier than your typical "celebrity on vacation" headline. It’s a story about a secret battle, a crushing loss, and a massive career shift that basically rewired the 10 a.m. hour of NBC’s flagship morning program.
The Mystery Absence of 2025
Let’s go back to late 2024. One morning she was there, and the next, she was just... gone. No big fanfare. No "see you later."
In January 2025, Sheinelle officially announced she was taking a leave of absence to deal with a "family health matter." At the time, she didn't give many details. She’s always been private, but this felt different. Savannah Guthrie eventually stepped in on-air to share the news that Sheinelle’s husband, Uche Ojeh, was fighting a private battle with glioblastoma—an incredibly aggressive form of brain cancer.
Sheinelle went from being an Emmy-winning journalist to a full-time caregiver. She traded the bright lights of Rockefeller Plaza for the quiet halls of hospitals and their home in Livingston Manor. For five months, the public didn't see her. Honestly, she needed that space to be a wife and a mom to her three kids—Kayin, Clara, and Uche Jr.—during the hardest season of their lives.
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A Heartbreaking Update
In May 2025, the news everyone was dreading finally came. Uche Ojeh passed away at just 45 years old.
Losing a spouse is devastating. Losing a college sweetheart who you’ve been with for nearly twenty years? That’s a whole different level of pain. Sheinelle stayed away from the cameras for several more months after the funeral. She was doing the work. The "swimming through mud" kind of work that comes with grief.
She eventually returned to the 3rd Hour in September 2025, but the Sheinelle we saw wasn't exactly the same person who left. She’s been open about that. She told People magazine in a recent cover story that she’s been "changed in a good way." She’s more empathetic. Less afraid. When you’ve survived the worst thing you can imagine, a live TV interview doesn't seem so scary anymore.
Why She Isn't on the 3rd Hour Anymore
If you’re looking for her at 9 a.m. alongside Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer, you’re looking in the wrong place. This is the part that has confused a lot of casual viewers.
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On January 2, 2026, Sheinelle had an incredibly emotional send-off from the 3rd Hour. There were tears. There were highlight reels. There was a lot of hugging. But she didn't leave the network. She actually got promoted.
Where you can find her now:
- The Show: Today with Jenna & Sheinelle
- The Time: 10:00 a.m. (the 4th hour)
- The Partner: Jenna Bush Hager
- The Start Date: January 12, 2026
She essentially filled the seat left vacant by Hoda Kotb, who stepped away from the show a year ago to spend more time with her daughters. For a year, Jenna had a rotating cast of "friends" filling in, but Sheinelle is the permanent choice. It makes sense. They’ve been friends for years—basically the "forever fill-ins" for the Kathie Lee Gifford era.
Life as a Single Mom in the Spotlight
Transitioning to the 10 a.m. hour wasn't just a career move; it was a life move. Sheinelle has been candid about the struggles of being a single mom to a 16-year-old and 13-year-old twins.
She mentioned that her son, Kayin, was actually excited about the new gig because the 4th hour sometimes tapes shows on Fridays. In the world of morning TV, those extra few hours at home are gold. It’s the difference between seeing your kids off to school and seeing them on a FaceTime screen from a makeup chair.
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She still talks about Uche constantly. She sees him in yellow butterflies. She sees him in sunflowers. She even gave one of his ties to her son for a Model Congress event recently. It’s clear that while she’s "back," she’s carrying that loss with her every single day.
What to Expect Next
The new show, Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, is leaning hard into the "sisterhood" vibe. It’s less hard news and more real talk. They’ve already had surprises from Hoda and Kathie Lee, passing the "wine torch" so to speak.
If you’ve been looking for Sheinelle Jones, look a little later in the morning. She’s fighting for her joy, and she’s doing it live in front of millions of people.
How to stay updated on Sheinelle’s journey:
- Watch the 10 a.m. hour: Tune in to NBC at 10:00 a.m. local time to see the new iteration of the show.
- Follow her social media: She frequently posts "mantras" and behind-the-scenes family moments on Instagram that don't make it to the broadcast.
- Check the Today website: NBC often uploads the "Morning Routine" segments where Sheinelle talks about her life as a working mom navigating grief.
Sheinelle’s absence wasn't a mystery of scandal; it was a mystery of survival. Now that she’s back, she’s proving that you can hold both heartbreak and a new career peak at the same time.