‘Today’ Host Reveals ‘Serious’ Reason She’s Been Absent For A Month

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Sheinelle Jones, part of the anchor team on NBC’s Today Show, reached out to her fans on Wednesday, January 15 in order to address her long absence on the show. After many check-ins from fans, the 46-year-old anchor, who last appeared on the program on December 18, 2024, explained that she was dealing with a “family health matter.”

An Instagram message from the broadcaster, who co-hosts the Third Hour segment of Today with Dylan Dreyer, read, “Hi everybody … I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show. I want to share that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter. It’s not lost how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today Show family, but to also have all of you.” Although she gave no more details on the health issue, the journalist went on to promise that her absence would not be permanent, adding, “Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.”

A source told Page Six on Wednesday that the matter is “serious,” but that it “does not involve herself or the three children she shares with husband Uche Ojeh: 14-year-old Kayin and 12-year-old twins, Clara and Uche.”

Fellow Today host Jenna Bush Hager quickly commented on Jones’ post, writing, “You are a queen and are LOVED beyond measure! Wrapping our arms around you, always ❤️,” while co-anchor Savannah Guthrie wrote, “we love you so. not the same without you. we will see you soon ❤️.”

This has been a season of shake-ups for Today, which also lost its longtime anchor, Hoda Kotb, on January 10 after 26 years.

Guthrie, 53, read Jones’ statement aloud on TV on Wednesday morning. She prefaced the message by saying, “We know so many of you have been asking about Sheneille and missing her and we miss her too.” Craig Melvin, 45, echoed his co-host’s sentiment, adding, “We all love you and we are so looking forward to having you back.”

During the Third Hour segment, Dreyer, 43, addressed Jones’ absence again. “We know so many of you are missing [Jones,]” Dreyer told viewers. “Obviously, of course, we are here too. We can’t wait for her to come back, and Sheinelle, we love you.” Al Roker, who was filling in for Jones, blew his colleague a kiss.