If you're wondering where Sheinelle Jones gets her smile and sunny personality, the answer was live and in person on TODAY Wednesday.
Sheinelle received a surprise on the 3rd hour of the show on Dec. 17 from her mother, Sheila Kinnard, who joined her alongside Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer.
Sheila walked on to the set to join them at the table and struck a pose for the cameras.
"Ooh, I'm on TV," she said.
"Yes, yes you are," Al laughed.
Sheila happened to be in New York City from their family home in Wichita, Kan., just over a week after TODAY announced that her daughter will be the new permanent co-host alongside Jenna Bush Hager of TODAY, with Jenna & Sheinelle beginning in January.
"I'm on the set this morning with Savannah (Guthrie) and Willie (Geist), and I get a text from my mom, and she's like, 'I'm in the lobby.'" Sheinelle said. "I'm like, 'What?!'"
Sheila had alerted Sheinelle a day earlier that she was in the Big Apple as part of a trip with the group Music Theatre Wichita. The group of 37 saw the Broadway smash "Buena Vista Social Club" on on Dec. 16 and plans on seeing another top production, "Death Becomes Her." A trip to see the legendary Rockettes perform is also on the itinerary.
Her friends Martha and Mary were there in person to watch Sheila's appearance on TODAY.
"They found out you were my daughter, they said, 'Awww,'" Sheila said.
"They just found out?" Al asked.
"Some people know, but I try to not be too..." Sheila said about revealing to others that she is Sheinelle's mom.
Dylan asked if they took a bus or a plane from Kansas.
"A long bus? Oh baby," Sheila said before laughing. "We don't bus. We fly."
"All the questions I've had (about) how did Sheinelle become who she is have now been answered," Al said.
Sheila enjoyed her time in front of the cameras.
"I'm so glad to be here," she said. "I'm so glad I recorded this."
She even sent the broadcast to commercial by teasing an upcoming segment.
"Better than Sheinelle!" Al said as they all applauded.
Sheila then rejoined them at the end of the third hour to share hugs with Jenna and Willie ahead of the fourth hour of TODAY.
"Meet your new mother-in-law," Sheinelle joked to Jenna.
"I'm so happy to see you!" Jenna told Sheila.
