After nearly a year, Jenna Bush Hager will officially have a new partner in crime joining her on the "Today" show's fourth hour.

Sheinelle Jones was announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9, as the new co-anchor for the program, which was previously known as "Today with Hoda and Jenna" until Hoda Kotb left the "Today" show in January.

"Today with Jenna and Sheinelle" will debut Monday, Jan. 12.

Bush Hager became emotional just a few words into her announcement, which she made at the top of Tuesday's show.

"Today, I am so thrilled to announce I have found my forever friend, and we are going to start a brand new journey in January," she said. "I couldn't be more excited to share this person with you all."

Bush Hager described Jones as an "extraordinary broadcaster" who "exemplifies exactly what this show is all about."

Jones, 47, served as cohost of the "3rd Hour of Today" alongside weatherman Al Roker, meteorologist Dylan Dreyer and Savannah Guthrie's main hour co-anchor, Craig Melvin.

Now, she's embarking on a new journey with Bush Hager.

Sheinelle Jones says new 'Today' job feels 'divine'

In a pre-recorded video package announcing Jones' hiring, Bush Hager joked that she had "60 first dates," referring to her rotating series of temporary cohosts, and now "can't wait to sit next to one, beautiful soul."

Jones, who in May announced the death of her husband from brain cancer, joined Bush Hager at the desk and opened up about her difficult year.

"A year ago at this time was tough for me," she said. "A year ago at this time, I decided that I should step back and be with my husband. We were in a fight. And you couldn't write this script."

Jones added that when she told her kids the news of new job, "there was so much joy in our house, and we needed that joy."

"When I came back from leave, I talked about fighting for my joy," she said. "This is what it looks like. It feels divine."

Jones also described Bush Hager as "not my friend, but my sister."

Where was Sheinelle Jones during 'Today' show absence?

The announcement comes after Jones' monthslong hiatus from the "Today" show following the death of her husband of 17 years, Uche Ojeh, in May due to an aggressive form of brain cancer. Jones stepped away from the program in December 2024 and returned in September.

In January, Jones shared in a statement to "Today" viewers that she was "taking time to deal with a family health matter." She added that "it's not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my 'Today' Show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me."

Before Sheinelle Jones, Jenna Bush Hager was joined by a cast of A-listers

Since Kotb's departure, Bush Hager has hosted the fourth hour, temporarily dubbed "Jenna & Friends," with a rotating slate of celebrities filling in as her cohost.

Over the months, she's welcomed a cast of A-listers and Hollywood mainstays that included Dwyane Wade, Ciara, Scarlett Johanssen, Olivia Munn, Brooke Shields, Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Michelle Buteau and Regina Hall.

Comedian Heather McMahan, singer Wynonna Judd, E! News host Justin Sylvester, and "Saturday Night Live" stars Chloe Fineman, Amy Poehler, Cheri Oteri, Mikey Day and Ana Gasteyer all took turns in the left seat. "The Voice" judge Kelsea Ballerini and Little Big Town member Kimberly Schlapman joined the show, too.

Bush Hager's husband Henry Hager, who works at a private equity firm, and her fraternal twin sister Barbara Pierce Bush even guest co-hosted the show. "Today" talent Guthrie, Willie Geist and Donna Farizan also stepped up to help.

Why did Hoda Kotb leave 'Today'?

In October, Kotb opened up to USA TODAY about her decision to leave "Today," saying her exit didn't feel like a risk or loss.

"Weirdly, at that point, it was my only choice to me," she said. "I have everything I want. I'm not risking something. I have the love of my family. I have wonderful colleagues who will be my friends forever. I have it."

She continued: "So I didn't feel like, 'What am I losing?'"

She bid the "Today" show farewell during a tearful final episode on Jan. 10 featuring her favorite singer Walker Hayes, fellow TV veteran Gayle King of "CBS Mornings" and former fourth hour co-host Kathie Lee Gifford.

Kotb, the host of the popular "Today" podcast "Making Space," has a continued relationship with the Peacock-forward network.

Contributing: Pamela Avila and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hoda Kotb's 'Today' replacement with Jenna Bush Hager finally revealed

Reporting by Erin Jensen, Brendan Morrow and Jay Stahl, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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