Sheinelle Jones bid an emotional farewell to her 3rd Hour of TODAY co-hosts Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer.
The whole gang raised a toast to Sheinelle Jan. 2 during a heartfelt send-off before she begins her new role as the permanent co-host of the fourth hour with Jenna Bush Hager. The new segment, which kicks off Jan. 12, has been retitled “Today With Jenna & Sheinelle.”
Sheinelle waved her hands in front of her face to help her keep from crying as Al, Craig and Dylan shared their favorite memories of their time on the air with her.
“We have been fortunate enough to have you with us. But we’ve also been fortunate enough to see the people who have made you who you are,” Al said before showing a throwback 2024 video of Sheinelle with her daughter, Clara, her mother Sheila and her beloved grandmother Jo.
Dylan fought back tears of her own when she told Sheinelle how much their friendship meant to her.
“My laughter around you is so genuine and you have just been such an amazing friend to me for so many years — I mean years and years and years,” said Dylan.
“From day one,” Sheinelle agreed.
Dylan then shared a hilarious 2018 clip of Sheinelle teaching her how to dance to Bruno Mars’ hit “24K Magic.” Dylan recalled that around the same time she attempted to teach Sheinelle how to play golf.
“Our camera operators were laughing so hard, their cameras were shaking,” Dylan recalled, adding, “That was just one of many times that I’ve just fallen on the floor laughing.”
Craig spoke next, telling Sheinelle, “I’m not going to look at you because I’ll cry.”
“You are so real and authentic on camera and off,” he said. “When you share your mantras and you share your poetry with us and the world, I always enjoy those moments. They make my heart smile.”
Craig then showed a video of Sheinelle during the 2024 holiday season reading a funny original poem on the air.
He then surprised Sheinelle by reading a poem he wrote in her honor that moved her to tears.
“To my sister in spirit,” Craig began reading as Sheinelle placed her hand on her chest.
“In the glare of the cameras your light shines through / a sister, a leader, so fearless and true./ You juggle the chaos. Three hearts call you mom / yet walk into work with that grace and calm,” Craig read.
“The stories you tell come straight from the soul / authentic and kind — journalism’s gold. / The loss you endured the world also saw / yet still you rise daily, inspiring all,” he continued.
“That smile could outshine the studio’s gleam / the spark of resilience, hope and dream / Through laughter and tears, you’ve guided my way. / Dear Sheinelle, my sister in spirit, you brighten each day,” Craig concluded.
After hugging Craig and Al, Sheinelle concluded the emotional segment by sharing how much she appreciate them.
“You are not getting rid of me,” she told the trio.
“To you guys at home, thank you so much for all of it, for scaffolding me, the kids,” she said. “We come in and we laugh and we’re genuinely laughing. We tear up, like now. I mean just this has been like one of the best rides of my life.”
