Sheinelle Jones is offering a heartfelt tribute to her colleague Savannah Guthrie, describing the veteran anchor as the quiet force holding the Today team together behind the scenes.
Jones spoke candidly about Guthrie’s role following the anchor’s recent return to the broadcast after a personal absence. Guthrie had stepped away from the show for two months amid the ongoing disappearance of her mother, Nancy.
“What people don’t know, what a lot of people don’t realize, is that behind the scenes, Savannah is our glue,” Jones said. “We call her our light.”
A Steady Presence in Difficult Moments
Guthrie returned to the studio in early April, rejoining co-hosts and staff who had closely followed her situation. Her return was described by colleagues as both emotional and inspiring.
Those who work alongside Guthrie say her professionalism has remained intact despite personal hardship. One source noted that she carried her pain “with grace, strength and resolve.”
Jones emphasized that Guthrie’s strength is not new. She pointed to the anchor’s long history of supporting colleagues during their own struggles.
“She is my sister,” Jones said. “Everyone knows how she was there for me at the lowest moment of my life.”
Jones was referring to Guthrie’s support during her late husband Uche Ojeh’s battle with brain cancer. That experience, Jones said, revealed Guthrie’s instinct to show up for others without hesitation.
“She was there,” Jones said. “So now? Are you kidding me? If I can wrap my arms around her, I couldn’t hug her any tighter.”
A Culture of Support at ‘Today’
The dynamic within the “Today” team has long been shaped by mutual support, according to Jones. She said Guthrie often leads that culture, particularly during moments of personal difficulty.
Colleagues including Hoda Kotb, Dylan Dreyer and Jenna Bush Hager have rallied around Guthrie since her return.
Jones described the group as a “moms tribe,” bound by shared experiences and a commitment to lifting one another up.
“We’re all in this moms tribe together, and we lean on each other,” she said.
She added that Guthrie’s empathy is shaped in part by her own life experiences, including losing her father at a young age. According to Jones, Guthrie has used that perspective to support not only colleagues but also their families.
“She has been such a gift to my kids,” Jones said.
As the search for Guthrie’s mother continues, Jones said the team remains hopeful and united. She stressed that the same support Guthrie has offered others is now being returned.
“We’re so, so proud of Savannah,” Jones said. “We’re rooting for her resiliency.”