**Sheinelle Jones Confesses to Keeping Iconic Janet Jackson Costume from Today Show**
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Sheinelle Jones, co-anchor of NBC’s Today, recently made a surprising admission regarding her participation in the show’s Halloween tradition. Speaking on the October 22 episode of *Today with Jenna & Sheinelle*, Jones revealed that she had discreetly taken one of her beloved costumes home after the show’s 2019 Halloween celebration.
The costume in question was a dramatic recreation of Janet Jackson’s striking ensemble from the 1989 music video for “Rhythm Nation.” It featured a structured black suit, complete with a coordinating hat, making it a memorable nod to the pop icon. Having joined the Today show costume tradition in 2017, Jones has assumed the personas of numerous iconic figures, including revered musicians and superheroes such as Beyoncé, Tina Turner, and Supergirl.
While discussing her costume caper, Jones addressed her co-host Jenna Bush Hager with an air of playful secrecy. “Can I tell you a little secret?” she began, playfully admitting that the show has strict guidelines for costume returns. She cautiously noted, “I’m almost scared to say it, but the statute of limitations, I think I’m good,” implying that her costume possession might not be entirely above board.
Jones went on to clarify that while most costumes, particularly wigs, are returned to the NBC network’s costume department—often linked to *Saturday Night Live*—she managed to keep one particularly special outfit. “There’s one — can I tell you which one I took?” she teased, adding a sense of mystery to her story. As a lighthearted response, Bush Hager jested, “It’s too late!”
When describing the unforgettable Janet Jackson costume, Jones revealed its unwitting disguise as she walked the streets. “I remember I wore it to the Village; I was walking around … it was very military-esque,” she shared. As she reminisced about children mistaking her for a police officer, the playful spirit of her Halloween escapade shone through.
The conversation naturally drifted towards the future, with anticipation building as the show’s annual group costume reveal is just around the corner. Last year, the cast embarked on a thematic road trip across America, featuring memorable characters such as Mr. Las Vegas, portrayed by Willie Geist, and Craig Melvin dressed as the legendary musician Prince. Jones herself donned Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter look, complete with a white horse—an act that certainly left an impression.
While Jones remains unsure of how to best utilise her prized Janet Jackson attire now that it is in her possession, Bush Hager offered a whimsical suggestion. “Dress up as Janet, have your girlfriends over, serve a little Aperol Spritz, and y’all dance or you go to the club,” she proposed, highlighting the fun that could surround such a beloved costume.
Jones takes great pride in the time and effort invested into the costumes she has worn over the years, each evoking nostalgia and admiration. Her light-hearted revelation has brought an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming Halloween festivities at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
With just one week remaining before viewers can witness this year’s Halloween costumes on *Today*, fans are no doubt eager to see what creative ensembles the cast will present. Jones’s amusing anecdote adds to the growing anticipation, as audiences look forward to the annual celebration of creativity, fun, and, of course, iconic characters.
As the tradition continues, Sheinelle Jones’s charming confession serves as a reminder that sometimes, certain moments resonate so strongly that they are simply too good to let go, even if it means bending the rules every once in a while.