‘Today’ co-hosts react to Sheinelle Jones’ prolonged absence: ‘We’re just praying for her’
The ‘Today” hosts are keeping Sheinelle Jones in their prayers.
During a segment on “Today” Friday, Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer gave an update on Jones, 46, who has been absent from the NBC morning show since December 18 due to “a family health matter.”
“I just talked to her a couple days ago,” Melvin, 45, told Access Hollywood’s Emily Orozco. “She’s taking some time to be with her family and we talk to her all the time.”
“We love our girl,” Melvin continued of Jones. “It’s been nice to see how much everyone else loves her, too.”
“We’re just praying for her,” added Roker, 70.
Dreyer, 43, confirmed that Jones “misses being” on the show with the other anchors.
“She wishes she was here with us, but she’s doing what she needs to do,” Dreyer said. “She’ll be back.”
Jones announced at the beginning of the year that she was taking an extended break from “Today” after she missed about a month of shows, including Hoda Kotb’s monumental last episode on Jan. 10.
“Hi everybody….I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show,” Jones’ Jan. 15 Instagram statement read. “I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter.”
She 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. Love, Sheinelle.”
Savannah Guthrie read Jones’ statement on “Today” and said the anchors were missing her.
“We all love you and we are so looking forward to having you back,” Melvin said on the show.
A source close to Jones told People in Jan. that her situation is “serious.” But the insider clarified that the health matter doesn’t concern the journalist and her husband Uche Ojeh’s three children: 14-year-old Kayin and 12-year-old twins Clara and Uche.
“Sheinelle appreciates the support she’s received from fans and viewers in her absence,” the source told the outlet. “She’s especially grateful for her tight-knit ‘Today’ show family and co-hosts, for all their love during a sensitive time.”
Jones has been on “Today” since 2014, co-hosting “3rd Hour of Today” with Roker, Melvin and Dreyer. She also fills in as co-anchor for “Today” and a guest co-host for “Today with Jenna & Friends.”
Despite her break from the program, Jones is set to release her memoir “Through Mom’s Eyes” in October. The book is inspired by her “Today” segment where she interviews celebrities’ mothers about raising successful kids.
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