Sheinelle Jones’ Secret Kept for 7 Years: She Took Home Her Janet Jackson Costume

For nearly a decade, Sheinelle Jones has delighted millions of viewers as one of the brightest stars in the Today show’s legendary annual Halloween costume lineup. But behind every dazzling reveal, there is it turns out one unforgettable story she’s kept entirely to herself. On the October 22 episode of Jenna & Sheinelle, she finally came clean: one costume was so perfect, so powerful, and so deeply meaningful that she simply couldn’t bear to part with it. So she didn’t. She took it home, and she’s been hiding it ever since.

A Tradition of Iconic Transformations

Since making her first appearance in the group costume lineup back in 2017, Jones, 48, has stepped into the shoes of some of entertainment’s most beloved figures. Her resume reads like a walk-through of pop‑culture history: she has soared as Supergirl, shimmered as Diana Ross, commanded the stage as Tina Turner, and most recently, dazzled as Beyoncé in her Cowboy Carter era complete with a white horse.

The productions are massive, coordinated efforts. Costumes are sourced, styled, and carefully returned to their rightful homes, particularly the wigs, which are on loan from the Saturday Night Live wardrobe department. Everyone follows the rules… mostly.

The Confession: "I Think I’m Good"

Settled in with co‑host and dear friend Jenna Bush Hager, Jones dropped her bombshell with a mix of nervousness and mischief. “Can I tell you a little secret?” she began. “They’re very strict about the Halloween costumes here on the Today show, right? I’m almost scared to say it, but the statute of limitations, I think I’m good.”

She acknowledged that the wigs always go back “we return those” — but there was one ensemble that slipped through the cracks. “There’s one… when I was Janet Jackson, I was out!” she laughed. “You’re never gonna find it where I hid it.”

Channelling the Queen of Pop

The year was 2019, and Jones stepped into one of the most iconic looks in music history: Janet Jackson’s structured black military‑inspired suit and hat from her groundbreaking 1989 Rhythm Nation video. It wasn’t just a costume it was a tribute to a moment that reshaped pop music, fashion, and female empowerment all at once.

Jackson’s Rhythm Nation era remains one of the most influential artistic statements ever made. The sharp, utilitarian silhouette, the high collar, the fedora every detail was deliberate, powerful, and instantly recognisable. Jones didn’t just wear the outfit; she carried herself with the same quiet strength and purpose that Jackson embodied. It clearly struck a chord deep within her.

Walking the Village in Uniform

The magic didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling. Jones recalled venturing out into New York City’s Greenwich Village while still in full costume: “I remember I wore it to the Village, I was walking around… it was very military‑esque. All the kids were like, ‘Are you a police officer?’”

It speaks to the enduring impact of Jackson’s vision that decades later, the look still commands attention and authority. For Jones, those streets became her own personal stage a quiet, joyful extension of the performance that made the outfit feel truly hers.

Jenna’s Brilliant Idea

Now that the secret is out, Jones admits she’s not quite sure what to do with such a treasure. Bush Hager had an immediate, enthusiastic solution: “Dress up as Janet, have your girlfriends over, serve a little Aperol Spritz, and y’all dance or go to the club!”

It’s a fitting future for a piece of pop‑culture history. Whether it makes a triumphant encore at a party, hangs preserved as a cherished memento, or one day finds its way to a display case, the costume has already earned its place not just as borrowed wardrobe, but as a memory made tangible.

Last Year’s Spectacle

As the countdown begins for 2026, viewers are already looking back at last year’s unforgettable lineup. Willie Geist channelled the glitz and charm of Wayne Newton; Craig Melvin brought the spirit of Prince to life; and Jones herself rode in as Beyoncé, setting a new standard for ambition and flair. Each year raises the bar higher, and each year, the question grows: who will they be next?

Countdown to the Next Reveal

With just seven days to go before the 2026 costumes are finally unveiled, the excitement is building. Will there be another musical legend? Another superhero? Another era‑defining moment recreated with love and style?

Whatever the theme holds, one thing is certain: if Sheinelle Jones falls in love again, she might just have to find another hiding place.