The TODAY show has always been known for its mix of warmth, news, and humanity, but on September 9, 2025, it delivered a moment that transcended television. In an emotional return to the NBC morning show, former anchor Hoda Kotb reunited with Sheinelle Jones, who only days earlier had opened her heart to the world about the devastating loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh. What followed was a scene that left colleagues and viewers alike in tears.

Hoda Kotb Returns to the 'Today' Show Less Than 2 Months After Her Exit

Hoda’s surprise appearance

Kotb, 61, returned to the TODAY plaza in New York City to help celebrate a local physical education teacher with a community workout segment. But what truly captured attention wasn’t the event itself — it was the moment she embraced Sheinelle Jones live on-air.

Wrapping her arms around Jones, Hoda looked her in the eye and said words that echoed across the plaza and into the homes of millions watching: “You’re changing lives just by being exactly who you are.”

Her voice broke slightly as she referenced Sheinelle’s recent interview with Savannah Guthrie, where Jones spoke for the first time about losing her husband, Uche Ojeh, to brain cancer in May. “Three of my friends called immediately after you guys were talking and said that they felt forever changed after listening to that conversation,” Hoda explained.

Then, with characteristic grace, she reminded Jones, “You don’t have to make any effort. Just be and you’re doing what you’re doing. I love you.”

Sheinelle’s story of loss

Sheinelle Jones, 47, stunned viewers on September 5 when she opened up about her grief in an emotional sit-down with Savannah Guthrie. Her husband, Uche Ojeh, was just 45 when he died after a battle with brain cancer.

Reflecting on their marriage, Jones told Guthrie: “It just felt like we always kind of had it. And when he was dying, I would say, ‘This sucks, and this is scary, but if you ask me if this was going to be my fate, I would do it all over again.’”

The couple shared three children together: Kayin, 16, and twins Uche and Clara, both 13. Jones temporarily stepped away from TODAY in January to focus on her family and officially returned on September 5, determined to continue her work while navigating grief.

“We don’t move on, but we move forward with our loved ones,” she said during her return. “I hope that just by me being on the set and me returning to work, it’s like, ‘OK, if I can do it, so can you, right?’”

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Fighting for joy

In her emotional reflections, Jones admitted that her “heart still hurts,” but she is actively choosing to heal. “If you see me now and you see me laughing, or you turn on the morning show and I’m laughing or having a good time, you root for me … because I’m fighting for my joy,” she said.

That vulnerability struck a chord with viewers. Many took to social media to share how inspired they were by her honesty and courage, calling her return to TODAY a symbol of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.

Support from colleagues and family

Jones has repeatedly credited her TODAY colleagues with helping her through her darkest days. Sitting on set after her return, she tearfully shared, “This is the most loved I’ve ever felt. And the kids feel it too.”

Her coworkers — including Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer — have surrounded her with support. The bond was further underscored by Kotb’s on-air embrace and words of affirmation, a reminder that the TODAY family extends beyond professional camaraderie.

Hoda’s new chapter

Hoda Kotb herself stepped away from TODAY earlier this year after 17 years on the show. She hosted her final broadcast in January 2025 but has remained a beloved presence for viewers. Her seat alongside Jenna Bush Hager during the show’s fourth hour remains unfilled, with a series of rotating guest hosts taking her place.

When asked earlier this year about who she would like to see succeed her, Kotb named several possibilities — including her “dear friend” Sheinelle Jones. “I think she would be good. I feel like it’s whoever clicks great with Jenna,” Kotb told Andy Cohen in January.

Hoda Kotb reaches out to Today's Sheinelle Jones with incredibly moving message as star 'takes time off' | HELLO!

A moment that will be remembered

The September 9 broadcast wasn’t about ratings or celebrity cameos. It was about two women, bound by friendship and shared experience, creating a moment of authenticity on live television. For viewers, it was a reminder that even those in the spotlight endure pain — and that choosing to show up in the face of it can be profoundly inspiring.

For Hoda Kotb, the message was clear: Sheinelle Jones is more than a host — she’s a beacon of strength, honesty, and hope. And for Jones, the return to TODAY marked not just a professional milestone but a personal one, a declaration that grief may linger but joy is still worth fighting for.

Looking forward

As Sheinelle continues her journey of healing, TODAY viewers will no doubt walk beside her, offering the same support she has given them through years of storytelling. With her colleagues’ unwavering love and her own commitment to resilience, she is showing millions of Americans what it means to carry pain and purpose side by side.

In the words of Hoda Kotb: She doesn’t have to make any effort — just by being herself, Sheinelle Jones is changing lives.