Sheinelle Jones, a host on NBC's Today show, opened up about what her late husband Uche Ojeh would think of her recent accomplishments, including a bestselling book and an expanded role on the show.
In an exclusive interview with E! News, Jones recalled the advice she received after Ojeh's death in May 2025: "In the first year after you lose someone, don't do anything." But Jones did the opposite. She stepped into a new role alongside Jenna Bush Hager on Today's fourth hour and published her first book, Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans.
"That's because there are no rules," she said of navigating grief. "You listen to your gut."
Jones thinks Ojeh, a triathlete and competitive person, would approve. "He was super competitive," she explained. "And even moments when I thought, 'Gosh, I don't have it in me to finish this book or try to plan some ten-city tour,' I have to do it. In some ways, I just feel like I'm running for both of us, and our kids."
When Through Mom's Eyes hit The New York Times bestseller list, Jones joked she was "surprised it didn't rain or something" as a sign from Ojeh. He had been one of her earliest supporters when she first thought of turning her onscreen series into a book in 2020. "It seemed like this lofty dream," she recalled, "and at the time my husband was like, 'Try it. Let's just do it.'"
Jones, mom to Kayin (16) and twins Clara and Uche (13), said she is finally giving herself credit for her achievements. But grief still hits unexpectedly. "For the big holidays, I feel like you fortify yourself," she reflected. "Christmas, Thanksgiving—you're ready for those... It's the Sunday morning. It's the Tuesday at four. It's a beautiful day outside and I'm walking down the street and everybody's dining al fresco."
The reception to her book has helped. "The amount of folks who come up to me... it's this fellowship," she said. "In the book, I say, 'Welcome to the biggest mom village.' I really believe it. It helps us all. I just want whoever's reading it to not feel alone."
As she approaches the first anniversary of Ojeh's death, Jones emphasized, "We don't move on, but we move forward, with him."