Sheinelle Jones Finds Healing Through ‘Wicked: For Good’
Sheinelle Jones, co-host of the Today show, recently shared a deeply personal moment during an interview with Wicked: For Good stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Speaking from London on November 12, 2025, Jones revealed that the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved Wicked musical had a profound impact on her journey through grief following the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh.
Jones’ husband passed away in May at the age of 45 after a battle with brain cancer, leaving the journalist and mother of three to navigate life and grief without her lifelong partner.
A Personal Conversation With Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
During the interview, Jones spoke candidly about how the film resonated with her emotions. “You guys both know that I am grieving, right?” she asked Grande and Erivo. “And I carry two things everywhere I go. I move forward, but I’m also grieving.”
The stars of Wicked: For Good — Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba — listened empathetically as Jones described how the film offered her unexpected comfort during this difficult time.
“When I went into the theater to see this movie, it was transcendent for me in a way that I didn’t know I needed,” Jones revealed. “To see these characters be strong, brave, and vulnerable… I sat there thinking, ‘If these women can do this on the screen, so can I in my own way.’ I can be strong and courageous and brave, not just as your characters, but as women in real life.”
Grande responded warmly, saying, “Well, we thank you. We love you. And you are all of those things.” Erivo added, “Thank you for that. We do, we love you very much.”
Returning to the Today Show After a Heartbreaking Loss
Jones returned to the Today show in September after taking an extended hiatus to spend time with her husband in the final months of his life and to grieve following his passing. She and Ojeh met in college and were married in 2007. Together, they share three children: Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche Jr., 13.
Her openness about grief has inspired many fans. She previously shared how seeing an early screening of Wicked: For Good on October 22 brought unexpected emotions. “Craig [Melvin] called me yesterday, what was I doing?” Jones recounted on the 3rd Hour of Today. “I was screening Wicked, and it was amazing.”
The Emotional Power of Wicked: For Good
The film, which hits theaters on November 21, 2025, continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring themes of friendship, bravery, and resilience. For Jones, watching the iconic characters navigate challenges offered a mirror to her own life, inspiring her to embrace her own strength in the face of loss.
In a touching moment during the interview, the film’s stars embraced Jones on set, highlighting the bond formed through shared vulnerability and admiration.
Grande also reflected on the overwhelming response from fans, noting, “It’s really a beautiful thing, and the fans’ response is overwhelming.”
A Story of Strength, Resilience, and Connection
Sheinelle Jones’ candid reflections remind us that art — whether in film, music, or theater — can have a transformative effect on those grappling with grief. Through her heartfelt conversation with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Jones exemplifies how vulnerability and courage can coexist, and how stories like Wicked: For Good can bring solace and hope during life’s most challenging moments.
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