Kelly Ripa was very comfortable hosting “Live” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The morning show host admitted she wasn’t fully dressed when appearing in front of the computer screen. In a recent episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” Ripa talked about having fun without the need to dress up for the camera.
The show, then known as “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” saw Ripa and former host Ryan Seacrest chat on video call. Since she was only required to be seen from the chest up, Ripa said she didn’t see the need to dress all the way through. While hosting the show with her husband, the host humorously came out with the truth.
Kelly Ripa Elected Not To Dress From The Waist Down While Hosting From Home
Kelly Ripa, 55, and Mark Consuelos, 55, have co-hosted the series since 2023. Ripa’s former co-host, Ryan Seacrest, was paired with her from 2017 to 2023. Midway through her tenure with Seacrest, Ripa found herself hosting from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the former “All My Children” actress, working from home was an enjoyable experience.
“Some of us have been homebodies all of our lives. I loved doing the show without pants on,” she said, admitting she wasn’t dressed all the way through at the time. “Guess what? While you were watching the show and we were shooting from a computer screen, I had a blouse on top and nothing on the bottom.”
The candid admission served as a humorous moment between her and Consuelos. But Ripa wasn’t done confessing. The “Live” host also revealed she placed “a bowl of Grape-Nuts clutched in between [her] thighs” to have during commercial. Ripa said she would be “Grape-Nutting” before the show went back on air.
This came as another easygoing interaction between the married pair. Although Conseulos had appeared as a guest on “Live” numerous times, his tenure as co-host has offered a new look into his marriage with Ripa. The two are parents to sons Michael Joseph, 29, and Joaquin, 23, along with daughter Lola Grace, 25.
Kelly Ripa Has Served As ‘Live’ Host For 25 Years
Kelly Ripa was only 30 years old when she was revealed as Regis Philbin’s “Live” co-host. Philbin had hosted the show for 18 years, including terms with Cyndy Garvey, Ann Abernathy, and Kathie Lee Gifford. Ripa’s appointment was initially seen as a gamble, but one that paid off. Her arrival boosted “Live’s” young-audience demographic by 80 percent. The success was called the “Ripa Effect” at the time.
Ripa hosted the show for 10 years alongside Philbin before his retirement. Ripa has had two terms hosting the show as a solo host. She has also been joined by Michael Strahan and Ryan Seacrest in two separate runs as co-hosts.
Ripa is catching up on Regis Philbin’s hosting record. Philbin was at the helm from 1983 to 2011 for a total of 28 years. With 25 years and counting, Ripa will match her former co-host if she stays on until 2029. While Philbin was 80 years old when he left, Ripa will still only be 58.
