There is no secret that Today Show co-hosts Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager have a touch of tension between them. Yet, when Jenna was late to the show, Sheinelle snapped and stated that she was not her “keeper.” So, where was Jenna? Keep reading for more details on her absence.
Jenna Bush Hager Was MIA For Today
The Today Show has had several anchors away over the last few weeks. It makes sense given that it is nearing the end of summer and they want to make the most of it. Carson Daly has been working on his final season of The Voice, while Savannah Guthrie was off filming Wordle. Craig Melvin headed to Hilton Head for some rest and relaxation, which was perfect after an intruder broke onto the show set. He shouted racial slurs at Craig but was promptly arrested. Now, Jenna Bush Hager was late to the show, and fans were questioning her absence.
When she was not there to greet the fans at Rockefeller Plaza or her “Morning Boost” segment, people were worried. There had been no announcement of her absence, so fellow anchors asked her co-host, Sheinelle Jones, what was up. To that, Sheinelle snapped:
“Everybody kept asking me … I mean, I’m not Jenna’s keeper. ‘Where’s Jenna? Sheinelle, where’s Jenna? Is Jenna gonna make it?’”
Again, tensions between the two have been noticeable. Jenna had taken over the initial co-hosting gig from Kathie Lee Gifford and sat beside Hoda Kotb. Hoda then departed in early 2025, so there were a series of rotating guests. Fans seemingly liked that, but the Today Show eventually settled on a familiar face, Sheinelle Jones. Unfortunately, she and Jenna have quabbled, but she was able to reassure anyone who was worried about Jenna:
“I’m like, ‘Well, she didn’t text me, so that means it’s gonna be just fine.’”
As it turned out, Jenna was in Maine with her family, as her nephew, Edward Finn Coyne, had gotten baptized. The producers were aware of her whereabouts, so they allowed her to be late.
A Special Moment
Jenna Bush Hager noted that this baptism was super important for her as she grew up at this church. Moreover, the Today Show host had her children baptized there, but it was a great celebration. She and her twin sister, Barbara, are very close, and she even co-hosted while the network was selecting someone permanent. Sheinelle Jones was an unexpected pick, as her husband had just passed away, so no one knew if she was ready to return. However, this was a great distraction.
Do you watch the Today Show, and did you wonder why she was late or absent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.
