SHEINELLE Jones has replaced Craig Melvin as Today anchor after it was revealed she was ‘in the running’ to replace Hoda Kotb.

Last week it was revealed that Hoda, 60, has stepped down from her role as co-anchor on the NBC morning show.

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Sheinelle Jones sat in for Craig Melvin on TodayCredit: NBC

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Hoda revealed she was leaving last weekCredit: Getty

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She stepped in for CraigCredit: Getty
Hoda will be leaving Today at the end of the year – and many are wondering who will replace her.

Sheinelle – who is usually a correspondent – stepped in as co-anchor just for the day, for Craig Melvin.

It comes after The Sun U.S exclusively reported that Sheinelle is in the running to replace main anchor Hoda, and join Craig and Savannah Guthrie on our screens.

“Now that she’s on her way out, there is a power vacuum already,” the insider told us.

“She put out the email that she was quitting before she went on air and before the show even ended four people were waiting outside the EP’s door to try and get the job.”

The insider added that Sheinelle “is their first choice” as NBC execs would like a person of color for the spot.

She has been part of the show since 2014.

HODA’S EXIT

Last month The Sun U.S reported that execs are ‘begging’ Hoda to stay and ‘haven’t given up’ on keeping her.

A source told us that NBC higher-ups still think that they may be able to stop her from leaving.

“There are negotiations in the works with pleas for her to do one day a week like Barbara Walters once did on The View,” the source said.

Today execs are ‘begging’ Hoda Kotb to stay on show and ‘haven’t given up’ on keeping her despite exit announcement
“That’s why she’s been very vague about when she’s leaving and what she’s doing next. They’re still figuring it out.

“She wants to do prime-time specials like Diane Sawyer does for ABC.

“This isn’t the last we’ve seen of Hoda.”

FINDING LOVE

Meanwhile it has also been reported that Hoda will focus on love when she leaves Today.

HODA’S NBC LEGACY

Hoda’s illustrious career at NBC spans well over two decades.

Hoda joined the NBC network in 1998 as a correspondent for Dateline.

She became a standout once paired with Kathie Lee Gifford in the 10 am hour of Today in 2008.

During her time on the show, Hoda was open about her battle with breast cancer and her fertility struggles.

Fans of the show then watched as she adopted her two daughters; first in 2017 and then in 2019.

She was also vocal about her daughter, Hope’s, scary medical crisis.

Hoda continued in the fourth hour after Jenna Bush Hager replaced Kathie Lee.

She was then named an interim co-anchor along with Savannah after Matt Lauer’s firing from the network in late 2017.

Hoda and Savannah became the first female-led duo to co-anchor Today since its premiere in 1952.

A recent highlight of her time on Today was the previously mentioned birthday surprise.

Hoda’s co-anchors shocked her with an hour-long celebration in August honoring her 60th birthday.

The source said that Hoda, who broke off her engagement to her longtime fiance Joel Schiffman in 2022 after eight years of dating, wants another chance at love.

“She wants a boyfriend, she wants to be able to date, she wants to have that in her life,” the insider revealed.

She was last seen with a mystery man in March this year.

REAL REASON

The real reason that Hoda decided to leave is because she wants to focus on her family.

The TV star is mum to Hope, five, and Hayley, seven.

An insider explained: “You want to be there for your kids, and she’s just completely wiped by the time it gets around to after school.

“She loves these girls so much, and then when Hope was sick and hospitalized, everything changed for her with her views on work.”

Hoda Kotb’s farewell letter to staff

Longtime Today host Hoda Kotb penned the following letter to staff announcing her departure:

“To my Today family,

“As I write this, my heart is all over the map. I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.

“My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life. But only because you’ve been beside me on this twenty-six-year adventure. Looking back, the math is nuts. 26 years at NBC News – Ten years at Dateline, seven on the seven o’clock hour, sixteen on the ten o’clock hour. I’m picturing your faces and your families and all the ways you’ve lifted me up and inspired me. That’s my heart singing. So many of my professional relationships have become some of my most cherished friendships. Savannah: my rock. Jenna: my ride-or-die. Al: my longest friend at 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will miss each and every one of you at TODAY desperately.

“I’ve been weighing this decision for quite a while – Am I truly ready? But, my sixtieth birthday celebration on the Plaza felt like a shift. Like a massive, joyful YES, you are! I saw it all so clearly: my broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.

“Because I’ll be working through the beginning of 2025, there’s plenty of time to talk about what’s ahead for all of us. But one thing I know for sure right now is this: everything’s going to be just fine. The Peacock’s feathers are never ruffled… no matter who comes or goes. TODAY and its amazing people — all of you — never waver. You always weather change with grace and guts.

“Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart. I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.

“Love,

“Hoda”

SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT

Hoda revealed the news on September 26.

She joined the show in 2018 after replacing Matt Lauer.

Hoda said in her statement: “So I was doing the math, and I realized I have spent 26 years at NBC – be cool, be cool.

“I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 years old…

“What does that decade mean?…And I realize it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new.”