Kelly Ripa is celebrating 25 years at the helm of LIVE, and for the milestone anniversary, the show pulled out all the stops with a major surprise for the longtime host. The 55-year-old was overcome by emotion after being surprised in the best possible way.
Firstly, her oldest son Michael, 28, came out onto the studio to celebrate his mom - presenting her with. a bouquet of flowers that he joked he had "stolen from the greenroom." He embraced Kelly - who was delighted to see him - before introducing a surprise montage, filled with clips from over the past 25 years of Kelly's time on the show - all of which featured her family. "That was a nice surprise," Kelly told him, visibly emotional.
"Now you may have noticed that Lola and Joaquin aren't here," Michael then told his mom, joking that they had "settled and sent him". Lola - who is in London - and Joaquin - who is rehearsing for his Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman - did sent some video messages for the TV host though, which were played out on the screen.
© ABCThe first was from Lola, who began: "Hi mommy! I wanted to congratulate you on 25 years of Live. That is insane. I'm so proud of the life you've made for yourself and for Michael, Joaquin and me, and dad, we really wouldn't have anything without you and I think that a lot of people would agree with me that there would be a lot less joy without you too and your pretty face on the air everyday. I'm not joking. I'm so proud of you, congratulations."
© ABCThe screen then cut to Joaquin's message. "Hi mom, you may be wondering where I am. I'm currently in your home. I just got back from rehearsal for Death of a Salesman (opening May 9), and I'm feeling rather tired." Joaquin then got into bed, as he continued: "I'll make myself at home here. I love you, proud of you, and here's to 25 more." Joaquin then started to laugh as the video cut.
© ABCKelly's future on LIVE
Ahead of the episode, Kelly opened up about the future of her role on the series. "I believe this show will continue on for as long as linear television exists," she told Decider. "I believe that there are too many talented people out there that really deserve the opportunity to find their own audience and grow the audience the way they see fit."
© Getty Images for SiriusXM"I don’t intend to work for the rest of my life. I really do not. Contrary to what everyone around here thinks!" she added. "I don’t intend on working for the rest of my life. But I think we’ll all make that decision when the time comes. I think there’s a way to sort of get new people on board and have them test cohosts and get the audience used to other people. I think it’s important. I love this show too much to see it sort of ever end with us."
Kelly took over for Kathie Lee Gifford as Regis Philbin's cohost in 2001 and has remained on the show ever since. Following Regis' exit in 2011, she was joined by Michael Strahan from 2012 to 2016 and Ryan Seacrest from 2017 to 2023.
Family
Mark Consuelos – who shares kids Michael, Lola, and Joaquin, with his wife – joined LIVE officially in 2023 following Ryan's departure.
© Kelly Ripa/LIVE with Kelly and MarkAs for their children, Lola is currently pursuing a career in music in London. Meanwhile, Joaquin, who is represented by CAA & Untitled, is set to portray the character Colby in Hulu’s upcoming pilot Foster Dade, adapted from Nash Jenkins’ novel Foster Dade Explores the Cosmos.
Michael, the couple's eldest son, currently lives in Brooklyn while working on the production side for Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York and The Real Housewives of New Jersey and has also worked as a production assistant on the sitcom The Goldbergs.
