The Sheinelle Jones mystery has been solved.
Jones, 46, the third-hour co-host of “Today”, was noticeably absent from the beloved morning show late last week — missing Hoda Kotb’s monumental final show after nearly 18 years on Friday, Jan. 10.
When she failed to appear on Monday, Jan. 13, viewers grew increasingly concerned following rumblings of possible shakeups at the network.
But Jones finally confirmed the reason for her absence on Tuesday morning in a statement on Instagram.
“Hi everybody….I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show,” she wrote. “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” on Tuesday. Guthrie, 53, also showed support for her co-anchor on her Instagram post, commenting, “We love you so. not the same without you. we will see you soon ❤️.”
Jenna Bush Hager said, “You are a queen and are LOVED beyond measure! Wrapping our arms around you, always ❤️.”
Before Jones’ announcement, many viewers were up in arms that she wasn’t present to bid farewell to Kotb, 60.
“Not even a recorded piece from @SheinelleJones on the @TODAYshow for @hodakotb’s last day?! Seems odd. Hope she’s ok,” one worried viewer wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I loved the HODA bration but really wondered why Sheinelle Jones wasn’t among the cast?” added a second watcher.
“@TODAYshow can u tell us where Sheinelle Jones is? So odd she is missing the #Hoda K’s farewell!” begged a third.
“Today” weatherman Al Roker ackowledged Jones’ absence from her usual segment Friday, telling viewers at home that “Sheinelle is off,” according to USA Today.
Jill Martin has been filling in for Jones.
This isn’t the first time Jones has been absent on the show since joining the “Weekend Today” team in 2014. Jones became co-host on the third-hour of “Today” in Jan. 2019.
She was nowhere to be found on the Nov. 15 episode, but returned the following Monday, revealing she had traveled to speak at an event for the Society of Professional Women.
In 2020, Jones took a break from “Today” for several weeks while she recovered from vocal cord surgery.
“It’s been a long time coming,” she told her co-hosts on the air at the time, per Page Six.
She was also forced to turn down several public speaking events as her doctor ordered her not to speak for two weeks following the surgery, which came with an expected six weeks of recovery.
Despite Jones’ absence, Kotb went out with a bang on Friday.
Several people made surprise visits for her goodbye episode, including her former “Today” co-host Kathie Lee Gifford.
Kotb’s final “Today” episode came with a ton of tears, as she broke down crying with close pal and “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hager.
Ahead of her big farewell to the “Today” show, Kotb teased her next project, which will be launched in spring.
