Studying Time: 4 minutes
For a number of months now, At present viewers have been expressing concern for Sheinelle Jones.
The beloved host’s ongoing absence started because the present was present process some main retooling.
As you’ve doubtless heard, Hoda Kotb has stepped away earlier this yr after almost 17 years on the anchors’ desk. And she or he’s been replaced by Craig Melvin, who will now be seated alongside Savannah Guthrie for the present’s “flagship hours.”
Clearly, there’s been quite a lot of protection surrounding these adjustments. However Sheinelle’s absence was principally swept underneath the rug.
The place Is Sheinelle Jones?
If you happen to’re a daily At present viewer, you may need seen that Sheinelle Jones has been lacking from the present since earlier than Christmas.
She missed the weeklong “Hodabration” in Kotb’s remaining episodes, and curiously, Sheinelle’s colleagues scarcely acknowledged her absence on the time.
“Sheinelle is off,” Al Roker briefly defined on January 10 earlier than introducing her momentary alternative, Jill Martin.
Not surprisingly, the scenario has sparked concern amongst followers.
However on the Monday, April 14 episode of At present, co-host Craig Melvin addressed Sheinelle’s absence throughout a dialog with visitor correspondent, Entry Hollywood‘s Emily Orozco
“I simply talked to her a pair days in the past — she’s taking a while to be together with her household and we discuss to her on a regular basis,” Melvin said. “We love our lady. It’s been good to see how a lot everybody loves her, too.”
“Precisely,” Roker added. “We’re simply praying for her.”
The hosts added that Sheinelle has been coping with “a household matter.”
“She misses being right here — she misses being right here with us, however she’s doing what she must do,” Dylan Dreyer mentioned, including, “She’ll be again.”
Sheinelle’s Response
Earlier this yr, the 46-year-old issued a press release wherein she defined that she’s coping with “a household well being matter.”
“Hello everyone … I sincerely recognize all of you who’ve reached out whereas I’ve been absent from the present,” Sheinelle wrote on Instagram.
“I need to share with you that I’m taking time to take care of a household well being matter,” she continued.
“It’s not misplaced on me how fortunate I’m to haven’t solely the assist of my At present Present household, however to even have all of you. Your kindness means a lot to me.”
The assertion was learn on the air by Savannah Guthrie.
“We all know so lots of you’ve got been asking about Sheinelle, and lacking her, and we miss her, too,” unhappy an emotional Savannah mentioned after sharing Sheinelle’s phrases.
“Sheinelle, all of us love you, and we’re so trying ahead to having you again,” Craig Melvin added.
An Outpouring of Concern
The replace follows months wherein At present viewers expressed day by day issues about Sheinelle.
“One other day with out @SheinelleJones on @TODAYshow and no clarification? What’s going on? We want solutions,” an X (previously Twitter person) named Terrace Miller tweeted throughout a latest broadcast.
And as Parade factors out, Terrace was not alone in her confusion:
“Not even a recorded piece from @SheinelleJones on the @TODAYshow for @hodakotb‘s final day?! Appears odd. Hope she’s okay,” one other person wrote amid Hoda’s farewell get together.
“I’m wondering if she received fired or didn’t take a pay lower or one thing as they don’t point out her. Greatest needs Hoda and finest to Sheinelle hope all is properly!” a 3rd viewer wrote.
“I liked the HODA bration however actually puzzled why Sheinelle Jones wasn’t among the many forged?” a fourth particular person requested.
“@TODAYshow can u inform us the place Sheinelle Jones is? So odd she is lacking the #Hoda Ok’s farewell!” a fifth chimed in.
Questions Stay
Some followers took solace in the truth that this was not the primary time she’s stepped away from At present.
Sheinelle took a short hiatus in November of 2024 with a view to attend a convention.
“I wasn’t right here Friday, I went proper exterior of Philadelphia to talk with the Society of Skilled Ladies,” she mentioned upon her return on November 18.
On the time, Jones defined that she “stayed till the very finish and talked to virtually each single one of many girls when it was over. I like that sort of stuff.”
Sheinelle’s assertion will quell quite a lot of fears, however we nonetheless know little or no in regards to the scenario that pressured her to step away. We want Sheinelle and her household all the most effective.
We’ll have additional updates on this growing story as new info turns into accessible.
