Why Is Sheinelle Jones Taking Time Off From ‘Today’? Inside Her Absence From the Show

Sheinelle Jones has been taking some time off from Today for a deeply personal reason. In April 2025, her cohosts gave an update on how she’s been doing amid her hiatus from TV. In May 2025, they shared the heartbreaking reason why she has been missing from the show.

Why Is Sheinelle Jones Taking Time Off From ‘Today’?

Sheinelle missed several episodes of Today beginning around the holidays in 2024 and into the new year. Today viewers questioned why she was missing from the program in posts on X and Instagram.

“One @TODAYshow can u tell us where Sheinelle Jones is? So odd she is missing the #Hoda K’s farewell!” one person asked after Sheinelle missed Hoda Kotb’s final episode of Today on January 10, 2025.

The following week, the speculation continued as Sheinelle’s cohosts simply told viewers that the anchor was “off.”

“Another day without @SheinelleJones on @TODAYshow and no explanation? What is going on? We need answers,” one person wrote on X on January 13, 2025.

It happened to be the same day that Craig Melvin replaced Hoda at the news desk as Savannah Guthrie’s official coanchor.

On January 15, 2025, Sheinelle spoke out in a statement to explain why she was taking time off from Today.

“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 wrote in her statement on Instagram. “It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not on 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.”

An insider told People that what Sheinelle is going through was “serious.”

“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.”

Sheinelle Jones’ ‘Today’ Colleagues Showed Their Support

In the comments section of her Instagram announcement, Sheinelle’s Today colleagues shared kind messages. Carson Daly commented red heart emojis, while Savannah wrote, “We love you so. not the same without you. we will see you soon.”

Jenna Bush Hager also showed support by writing, “You are a queen and are LOVED beyond measure! Wrapping our arms around you, always.”

“You are where you are supposed to be we are with you,” Maria Shriver wrote in a comment, while Justin Sylvester wrote, “I’ll keep you in my prayers.”

“We miss you and love you and are sending our support,” Vicky Nguyen said, while Joy Bauer said, “Love you so much.”

Who Is Filling in For Sheinelle Jones on ‘Today’?

Amid Sheinelle’s absence from Today, Jill Martin and several other NBC personalities have been filling in for her on the program. Sheinelle did not immediately share when she is expected to return to Today.

Her costars also addressed her absence during an episode of the talk show on January 15, 2025.

“We know so many of you have been asking about Sheinelle, and missing her, and we miss her, too,” Savannah said during the episode.

“Sheinelle, we all love you, and we are so looking forward to having you back,” Craig remarked.

“We’ll see you soon,” Savannah added.

‘Today’ Hosts Give Update on Sheinelle Jones’ Show Absence

In April 2025, Craig joined Today costars Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer in Miami to celebrate the MSC World America’s maiden voyage. They all sat for an interview with Access Hollywood, where they opened up about how Sheinelle was doing and revealed if they had spoken to her recently.

“Just talked to her a couple of days ago. She’s taking some time to be with her family, and we talk to her all the time, and we love our girl. It’s been nice to see how much everyone loves her, too,” Craig revealed.

Al said that he and his costars were “just praying for her.”

“She misses being here, you know, she wishes she was here with us but she’s doing what she needs to do and she’ll be back,” Dylan shared.

Sheinelle Jones’ Husband Uche Ojeh Has Died

On May 23, 2025, the Today cohosts announced that Sheinelle’s husband, Uche Ojeh, died after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer.

“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and Today cohost Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” Savannah said during the episode of the talk show.

“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person,” she said. “We all loved him. And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”

The cohosts shared memories of Uche and how much he loved and cared for his wife and children.

“One thing he always talked about — he talked about those kids,” Craig said during the segment. “He loved those kids more than anything else in this world, and was just so proud. He was that dad that was on the sideline at every soccer game. He was at all the concerts, the recitals. He was that guy, and they had such a beautiful love story.”