Everyone has something that scares them, including Sheinelle Jones. The Today Show host opened up about her biggest fear. And then she confronted it on live television for the whole world to see. Keep reading for all the details and see the shocking video.
Sheinelle Jones Has Unexpected Fear
Sheinelle Jones has proven how tough she is. Her husband passed away in 2025, leaving her to raise their three children alone. She took time away from the Today Show to grieve. When she returned, she joined Jenna Bush Hager to co-host the show’s fourth hour.
Sheinelle Jones may be tough, but she has fears like anyone. But one of her biggest fears is unexpected. The morning host is terrified of cats. Yes, cats. While the fear of dogs is common, being afraid of cats is something nearly unheard of. Jenna Bush Hager helped Sheinelle Jones confront her biggest fear on camera.
Today Host Confronts Her Biggest Fear On Live TV
Puppy and goat yoga are huge trends in the health and wellness industry. But Jenna Bush Hager stumbled on the latest fad on social media: Purlates. Founded by Darly Murray, Purlates partners with a different cat rescue group for classes that combine Pilates and kittens.
The Today Show cameras joined Jenna Bush Hager at a recent class. “I knew that only one person would appreciate it as much as me: Sheinelle,” she joked before the class started. “I’m being dishonest if I were to tell people that I’m looking forward to this in any way,” Sheinelle Jones admitted about confronting her fear of felines.
Sheinelle Jones started the class wary of the kittens roaming around the room. Jenna Bush Hager was in her element, with many of the cats gravitating towards her. She encouraged her co-host to interact with the cats. At one point, Sheinelle Jones freaked out and moved closer to Jenna for support. When Jenna asked if she was laughing or crying, Sheinelle responded, “Both.”
Fans React
While Sheinelle Jones was terrified, she tried to talk her way through it. “Breathe, Sheinelle,” she said to herself. To the cat she said, “You’re God’s little creature.” Back in the studio after the segment, Jenna Bush Hager revealed that it turns out they are both allergic to cats.
Viewers took to social media to support Sheinelle Jones through her fears. Check out some of the comments:
- “Sheinelle is being so brave. She is clearly terrified. This is definitely a phobia for her, and that purlates class might be the most stressful way to start introducing her to the kitties.”
- “Poor Sheinelle. Don’t push her too much.”
- “Something definitely traumatic happen to her for her to not like cats. Thats something that she might need to explore with a therapist.”
- “Cats make more sudden movements than dogs. So it’s likely just the startle effect that gives Sheinelle the willies.”
- “I don’t appreciate the pushy bossy way Jenna tried to shame Janelle into touching them apologizing to the dang cat”
By the end of the segment, Sheinelle Jones admitted that she likes cats. Tell us in the comments if you think she was pushed too far.
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
