Sheinelle Jones breaks silence about her absence from Today show following viewer concern
Today show anchor Sheinelle Jones has spoken out to address her absence from the NBC program, revealing that she is taking time to deal with a ‘family health matter.’
It’s been weeks since the anchor, 46, last appeared on the show’s 3rd Hour, where she has served as a co-host for the last six years.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday morning, Sheinelle reassured viewers that she will be back soon and thanked them for their support.
She said: ‘Hi everybody… I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show.
‘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 also have all of you.
Today show anchor Sheinelle Jones has spoken out to address her absence
Taking to Instagram, she revealed that she is ‘taking time to deal with a family health matter’
‘Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.’
Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin also addressed Sheinelle’s absence on the program.
‘We want to share some news about our friend Sheinelle,’ Savannah, 53, said.
‘She posted to Instagram this morning, letting everyone know she has been taking time off to deal with a personal family health matter.
‘She thanked everyone for their kindness and concern about her. So many of you have been asking about Sheinelle and missing her, and he we miss her, too.’
Craig, 45, added: ‘Sheinelle, we all love you and we are so looking forward to having you back.’
It comes after Today show viewers were growing increasingly concerned over Sheinelle’s whereabouts after her continued absence from the show.
She was also noticeably missing from Hoda Kotb’s last day on January 10 and wasn’t included in any of the pre-recorded messages alongside her colleagues Craig, Savannah, and Al Roker.
Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin also addressed Sheinelle’s absence on the program
It comes after Today show viewers were growing increasingly concerned over Sheinelle’s whereabouts
Naturally, concerned fans took to social media in a desperate bid for answers.
Commenting under Sheinelle’s last Instagram upload at the time, which was posted on December 16, one asked: ‘Where are you my dear? We’re missing you on the Today show.
‘If your disappearance is related to contract negotiations, I pray they don’t shortchange you like they did Tamron Hall!
‘They will lose me and many others as viewers if you leave. To Today Show management, your history in compensating African American women is lacking. Please don’t make another mistake.’
Another simply wrote: ‘Where are you????’
‘Your fans are missing you,’ a third said. ‘I hope all is well and we will see you next week back on Today. You are very loved by viewers.’
‘She wasn’t there for Hoda’s last day either,’ another observed. ‘I hate that. I love Sheinelle.’
Agreeing, a fifth said: ‘I thought the same thing! Not even a pre-recorded message to Hoda. I notice she hasn’t posted anything on here in almost a month as well.’
