Yahoo Lifestyle Sheinelle Jones reveals she's 'taking some time' away from “Today” following lengthy absence
"I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I've been absent," the anchor wrote in a social media post that was read by Savannah Guthrie.
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Sheinelle Jones on May 3, 2024Sheinelle Jones wants viewers to understand why she's been absent from Today. The anchor posted an explanatory note to Instagram, which was read by her colleague Savannah Guthrie on the Jan. 15 edition of the morning show.
"Hi everybody ... I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I've been absent from the show," Jones wrote. "I want to share with you that I'm taking time to deal with a family health matter."
Jones continued, "it's not lost on me how lucky I 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."
There's recently been a lot of changeover at Today. Jones' third hour cohost, Craig Melvin replaced outgoing anchor Hoda Kotb earlier this week. Meanwhile the fourth hour of Today will feature a rotating lineup of guest hosts joining Jenna Bush Hager for Jenna and Friends. Scheduled hosts include actress Taraji P. Henson, former Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, One of Them Days star Keke Palmer, and Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson.
Jones typically hosts the third hour of Today alongside Dylan Dreyer. Melvin will continue to cohost the third hour as well.
Related: Craig Melvin to replace Hoda Kotb on The Today Show: 'Made for this job'
After graduating from Northwestern University, Jones started her career in broadcast journalism in Springfield, Ill., before moving to Fox affiliate stations in Tulsa, Okla. and then Philadelphia. She joined NBC News in 2014 as one of Today's weekend edition hosts, and then became a cohost of the third hour starting in January 2019. Just over a year later, in February 2020, Jones had vocal chord surgery that left her unable to speak for six weeks, necessitating a break from the show.
"Sheinelle, we all love you, and we are so looking forward to having you back," Melvin said on this week's show after Guthrie read Jones' statement.
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