Grieving Today Host Finds Strength in Wicked Musical

In November 2025, Sheinelle, a 47-year-old host on the Today show, opened up about her personal journey of grief and healing. Just four months earlier, in September 2025, Sheinelle had returned to the morning program after taking time off to mourn the passing of her colleague, Uche, who had succumbed to glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

During a recent interview, Sheinelle revealed that while she continues to grieve Uche's loss, seeing the characters of Elphaba and Glinda in the musical Wicked has been a transcendent experience for her. She explained that witnessing the two women confront their personal struggles with strength, bravery, and vulnerability has inspired Sheinelle to find her own inner strength as she navigates the challenges of grief.

Sheinelle's emotional connection to the Wicked story has provided her with a sense of solace and understanding during this difficult time. The journalist's ability to move forward while also honoring her grief has been a testament to her resilience and determination to emerge from this period of loss with a renewed sense of purpose.