Here’s When Sheinelle Jones Is Returing To The ‘Today’ Show

Sheinelle Jones is returning to the Today show after taking an extended leave of absence in late 2024, following the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh, in May after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

According to People magazine, during Tuesday’s broadcast, cohost Savannah Guthrie announced Jones would return on Friday.

“We’ve got some other great news that we are so excited to share with you, and it involves a member of our own Today family,” said Craig Melvin.

“Yes, our beloved Sheinelle will be returning to the show,” Guthrie said. “She and her family have been through so much after the devastating loss of her husband, Uche.”

‘Today’ to air Jones’ ‘personal’ pre-taped interview with Guthrie

Along with Jones’ return to Today, the NBC morning show will air Jones’ emotional, pre-taped interview with Guthrie.

“We recently sat down together. We shared a really personal conversation, talking about how she has carried on and found the strength these past few months,” Guthrie said on air. “She calls this experience a ‘beautiful nightmare.’ And she has thoughts on grief that are so touching. She’s got a special message of hope too for anyone facing their own struggles, and we will share that with you. And we cannot wait to welcome Sheinelle home, right where she belongs, right here in our studio, Studio 1A, on Friday.”

The interview will mark Jones’ first time speaking out since Ojeh’s death.

Jones’ ‘Today’ cohosts announced Ojeh’s death on air in May

Jones announced her departure from the show in a January Instagram post, in which she explained that she was stepping away from the show “to deal with a family matter.”

“It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the of my Today show family, but also have all of you,” she wrote. “Your kindness means so much to me.”

A source later told People that the matter was “serious,” and Jones “appreciates the support from fans and viewers in her absence.”

In May, Today cohosts Guthrie, Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Dylan Dreyer and Jenna Bush Hager announced that Ojeh had died.

“There are no words for the pain that we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children,” Guthrie said on air. “Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him. … We just want to say Sheinelle, Kayin, Uche and Clara and the Ojeh family: we are with you, we love you. You are our family and we’re just sending all of our love to you right now.”

Melvin, who was close friends with Ojeh, added, “He loved those kids more than anything else in this world, and was just so proud. He was that dad that was on the sideline of every soccer game. He was at all of the concerts and the recitals. He was that guy.”

Guthrie, Melvin, Roker, Hager, and Hoda Kotb attended Ojeh’s funeral on May 30, according to People.

Jones first joined NBC in 2014. She has since appeared in shows across the Today universe, including Today 3rd Hour, which she hosts alongside Roker, Melvin and Dreyer.