EMOTIONAL SUPPORT! WHY THE TODAY SHOW IS GIVING SHEINELLE JONES “ALL THE TIME SHE NEEDS” DURING HER ABSENCE — Behind The Scenes, Friends And Fans Rally Around Her With Heartfelt Messages And Warmth! What’s Truly Going On With Sheinelle And How Her Journey Is Touching Everyone’s Hearts

Nobody on TODAY is looking forward to Sheinelle Jones’ eventual return to the show more than Willie Geist.

In a quick conversation with PEOPLE at a recent Nashville event on April 16, Geist spoke about Jones’ continued absence. Since December 2024, Jones has not appeared on TODAY to tend to a family health matter. Unsurprisingly, her colleagues are outspoken about missing her and wishing her the best and Geist confessed he “cannot wait” to see his co-star once again.

“We’re giving her all the time she needs,” Geist said when asked about Jones.

He then revealed how the entire TODAY family is prepared to give her a gigantic hug when she comes back!

“She’s dealing with a family matter or private matter, and she is such a valued member of our family,” he shared. “We want to just be there for her and whenever she feels ready to come back and sit with the group, we’ll give her the biggest hug she ever got.”

It was a heartwarming sentiment by the 49-year-old anchor of Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, and it’s safe to say he speaks for every fan and viewer who wishes nothing but the best for Jones.

Fans hope Jones feels the love — wherever she is today!

Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer on TODAY Season 7, Episode 32. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC

During the April 12 episode of TODAY, many of Jones’ co-stars gave encouraging words of support for their friend.

Co-anchor Craig Melvin revealed he’d recently been in touch with Jones, who he called “our girl.”

“I just talked to her a couple days ago — she’s taking some time to be with her family and we talk to her all the time,” Melvin said to their guest correspondent, Access Hollywood’s Emily Orozco. “We love our girl. It’s been nice to see how much everyone loves her, too.”

Dylan Dreyer offered up an optimistic viewpoint for fans, giving hope that Jones would be back eventually!

“She misses being here — she misses being here with us, but she’s doing what she needs to do,” Dreyer added. “She’ll be back.”

These are the celebrity guest co-hosts for TODAY with Jenna & Friends beginning April 21

Justin Sylvester attends the 73rd Annual Miss Teen USA Pageant at Peacock Theater on August 1, 2024; Andy Cohen attends Susan Lucci in Conversation with Andy Cohen for “All My Children” at 55 at 92NY on January 14, 2025; Tiffany Haddish attends the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2025 runway show at Chelsea Industrial on February 6, 2025. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; Stephanie Augello/Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano

TODAY with Jenna & Friends fans, rejoice: the latest batch of celebs set for co-hosting duties has been announced!

In a mid-morning April 17 Instagram post, the show announced the three celebrities tapped to co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager all next week. Justin Sylvester (who will be back for round two), Andy Cohen, and Tiffany Haddish will be in-studio to lend their talents to TODAY’s fourth hour.

“Let’s go! Tune in April 21 for more fun on #JennaandFriends ✨,” the show shared on its official Instagram.

For more information on the celebs who will be alongside Hager next week