In the high-paced world of morning television, interactions between hosts and celebrity guests are often reduced to quick pleasantries and rehearsed talking points. However, a recent appearance by Elizabeth Olsen on NBC’s Today show transcended the usual promotional chatter, evolving into a deeply profound moment of shared humanity. The actress has revealed that moments before going live, co-host Sheinelle Jones shared a heartbreakingly beautiful sentiment regarding her late husband, Uche Ojeh, leaving a lasting impact on Olsen.

The “Meaningful” Backstage Moment

Elizabeth Olsen appeared on the Today show on November 12 to promote her new film, Eternity, an afterlife-themed romantic comedy. While the on-air segment was professional and bright, Olsen recently told The Hollywood Reporter that the most significant part of her day happened off-camera, just seconds before the director called “action.”

According to Olsen, Jones—who works during the hour Olsen was scheduled to appear—approached her with a vulnerability that caught the actress off guard.

“Before I went on, [Jones] said, ‘Not to bring it down or anything, but I lost my husband earlier this year, and I watched your movie yesterday,’” Olsen recalled in the interview. “She told me, ‘I really enjoyed it, and it really created a sense of comfort for me. I actually felt a sort of healing.’”

For Olsen, who is accustomed to discussing the technicalities of filmmaking or broad themes of her work, this direct, raw feedback was startlingly moving. “Those are reactions that I typically don’t get to have one-on-one with people,” Olsen admitted. “You just think about the universalities of it. So it’s meaningful to hear that people are having those experiences.”

A Year of Heartbreak for Sheinelle Jones

To understand the weight of Jones’ comments, one must look at the tragic year the beloved Today host has endured. Jones returned to the anchor desk in September after taking an extended leave of absence following the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh.

Ojeh, who was only 45 years old, passed away in May 2025 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The couple, who met at Northwestern University and had been married for nearly 17 years, shared three children together. His passing was a devastating blow not just to Jones and her family, but to the entire Today show family and its viewership.

Since her return, Jones has been the picture of resilience, navigating her grief while continuing to bring joy to millions of viewers. However, her interaction with Olsen offers a rare glimpse into the private moments of healing she is experiencing behind the scenes.

Art Imitating Life: The Power of “Eternity”

The film that sparked this connection, Eternity, stars Olsen alongside Callum Turner and Miles Teller. While billed as a romantic comedy, the film deals heavily with themes of the afterlife and finding love and peace beyond the mortal coil. It appears that this specific narrative struck a chord with Jones, resonating with her own recent journey through loss and widowhood.

It is a testament to the power of storytelling that a film intended to entertain could also serve as a vessel for healing. Jones’ admission that the movie provided her with “comfort” suggests that the film handles the delicate subject of death with a grace that spoke directly to her grief.

Jones herself has been open about finding solace in art recently. In a separate interview with Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Jones mentioned that their film was “transcendent” for her grief, helping her find strength through their characters. It seems that cinema has become a vital part of her healing toolkit during this impossibly difficult year.

A Connection Beyond the Screen

The exchange between Olsen and Jones highlights the often-overlooked human element of celebrity journalism. For a brief moment, the barrier between “interviewer” and “talent” dissolved, replaced by two women connecting over the universal experience of loss and the soothing nature of art.

Olsen’s decision to share this story with the public brings a new layer of depth to her film, validating its message in the most real way possible. It also reminds the audience that behind the bright smiles of morning TV hosts like Sheinelle Jones, there is often a deep well of personal experience and emotion that informs how they connect with the stories they cover.

As Eternity continues its theatrical run, it will likely be viewed through a new lens by those who know this story—not just as a rom-com, but as the film that gave a grieving widow a moment of peace.

The Today show airs weekdays on NBC.