Where is Sheinelle Jones? 'The TODAY Show' co-host addresses her sudden absence
After countless fans across the country grew concerned, "The TODAY Show" co-host Sheinelle Jones responded to her absence from the show.
Jones, a third-hour co-host on the morning show, was suddenly absent from the set late last week. She also missed Monday and Tuesday's segments. As "The TODAY Show" sees a reshuffling of anchors, many fans speculated about whether Jones' absent may be permanent.
The beloved co-anchor of the NBC morning show's third hour announced Wednesday that she is taking break from "TODAY" to focus on her family. It does not appear that Jones is leaving her longtime position at NBC.
"Hi everybody ... I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while l've been absent from the show. I want to share with you that I'm taking time to deal with a family health matter," Jones said in a post on Instagram Wednesday morning.
"It's not lost on me how lucky l am to have not only the support of my Today Show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I'll see you soon," she wrote, signing the note "Love, Sheinelle."
After 17 years in the position, Hoda Kotb has left "The TODAY Show." The longtime NBC anchor and "Hoda & Jenna" host announced live on the show in September that she would be leaving the morning talk show, describing the decision as the "hardest thing in the world." She said turning 60 last summer was a "monumental" moment for her that made her think about the decade ahead.
Kotb's last day on the show was Friday, Jan. 10, and viewers were shocked when Jones was missing from the cast as they bid Kotb farewell.
TODAY's weathercaster Al Roker acknowledged Jones' absence from the show during her usual segment Friday, saying simply, "Sheinelle is off."
Jill Martin has filled in for Jones. Jones' whereabouts and reasons behind her absence from the show remain unclear to the public.
This isn't the first time Jones has been absent from "The TODAY Show." The host didn't attend the show on Friday, Nov. 15 but returned the following Monday, saying she'd travelled to an event to speak with the Society of Professional Women.
Craig Melvin to replace Hoda Kobt on 'The TODAY Show'
"Today" announced in November that "Today Third Hour" host Craig Melvin will take up the helm as Kotb's replacement as co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie.
"I'm beyond excited and grateful," Melvin said at the time. "I wanted to thank NBC and the folks here who deemed me worthy…I have enjoyed just a lifetime of blessings, and this is the latest in a long line of blessings."
Melvin has been with NBC and MSNBC since 2011, joining as an MSNBC Live anchor through 2022, and an NBC News correspondent since 2012. The Emmy-winning journalist is also a "Dateline" anchor and has been with "TODAY" since 2018.
Hager will continue hosting the show's fourth hour on "Jenna & Friends" with a rotating fill-in co-host starting Jan. 13, until a permanent host is named.
— Paste BN contributed to this report.
This story was updated to add Jones' public response made Wednesday.