Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager just returned from their “Girls Trip” to Jamaica. The fun-filled two-day special aired on Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27. Now they’re back in the States but Sheinelle Jones is taking another break. She was in near tears after returning to her former role for a special reason. Keep reading for all the details.
Why Sheinelle Jones Is Missing From The Today Show
Sheinelle Jones was announced as Jenna Bush Hager’s permanent co-host in January. The Today Show’s fourth hour had been desperately looking for a co-host after Hoda Kotb’s exit. The former anchor left in January 2025 to spend more time with her kids. She’s been back at the NBC morning program in the last few weeks to cover for Savannah Guthrie. Sheinelle Jones also stepped up to fill in during the absence.
Now, it’s her turn to take some time off. Sheinelle Jones’ absence isn’t permanent. She’s spending the week with her kids while they’re on school break. But she’s not completely leaving her job behind. She’s made several appearances to promote her new book, Through Mom’s Eyes, inspired by her late husband. One stop was a very familiar place.
Near Tears As She Returns To Former Role
Sheinelle Jones joined the Today Show in 2014. Before that, she worked her way up in the news industry. One of her early roles was as a reporter with Fox 29 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She returned to Good Day Philadelphia on Monday, March 30, to talk about her book. Anchor Mike Jerrick asked her if it was “weird” to be back at the news desk. Sheinelle Jones revealed just how emotional the return was. She said she “almost cried” after seeing a former colleague, Karen Hepp.
Her former co-anchor was just as emotional. “Well, we were pregnant, like, back-to-back, and we had those babies and we would hang out. And Kayin, they’d come over and they’d play,” Karen Hepp said. Sheinelle Jones has three children with her late husband, Uche Ojeh. He passed away from brain cancer in 2024.
Sheinelle Jones talked about another reunion with a co-worker. She revealed that she ran into a photographer who worked on Good Day Philadelphia when she was there. She asked the photographer if they were still with the girl they met on a dating site. Not only are they still together, they’re married with kids now.
Despite her success after leaving, Sheinelle Jones was emotional to return to her former role. “There’s so much love in this city, and I’m just happy to be here,” she said. Viewers were just as happy to see her on their televisions again.
Sheinelle Jones is expected to return to the Today Show next week. She will likely be near tears again when reuniting with Savannah Guthrie, who returns on April 6 after two months away.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger