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Kelly Ripa's 25 Years: A Host's Candid Reflections
25 Feb
Summary
- Ripa initially wasn't seeking the co-host position.
- She feared the pressure of hosting for nearly a decade.
- Oprah advised Ripa against leaving after 25 years.
Kelly Ripa marked her 25th anniversary as host of "Live," reflecting on her unexpected journey to the role. She first guest-hosted in 2000 and was soon offered the permanent co-host position, rebranding the show as "Live With Regis and Kelly." Ripa confessed that she initially felt immense pressure and terror in the role, a feeling that persisted for nearly a decade.
She revealed that she wasn't actively seeking the job while working on "All My Children" and was pregnant with her second child. Ripa sought advice from Oprah Winfrey regarding her milestone anniversary, with Winfrey encouraging her to stay, citing the dynamic with current co-host Mark Consuelos and the show's enduring relevance.
Ripa aims for "Live" to continue as long as linear television exists, valuing its history and its role as worry-free family entertainment. She expressed surprise at how quickly her husband, Mark Consuelos, adapted to the hosting role, contrasting it with her own lengthy adjustment period.
