Kelly Ripa reveals why husband Mark Consuelos was hesitant to Co-Host Live

Kelly Ripa reveals Mark Consuelos initially resisted full-time Live role, citing work-life balance concerns.

Kelly Ripa is opening up about what it’s really like working with her husband, Mark Consuelos, on Live With Kelly and Mark — and why he initially resisted taking the job.

During a July 31 appearance on Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast, Ripa, 53, shared that while she and Consuelos, 53, have decades of experience working together — dating back to their time on All My Children — co-hosting a daily talk show wasn’t something he immediately embraced.

“We were used to working together,” Ripa said, recalling that Consuelos had filled in as a guest host more than 100 times before becoming permanent co-host in April 2023, following Ryan Seacrest’s departure. “He was always there, especially during the COVID year. So, he made sense to take over — we just had to make it make sense for him.”

Ripa explained that Consuelos was hesitant at first because he viewed guest hosting as a fun, occasional gig. “He’s like, ‘No, it’s fun to do once in a while, because it’s only once in a while,’” she recalled. However, Ripa encouraged him, pointing out the show’s short taping schedule and the flexibility it allows. “It’s so much easier than doing a soap,” she added.

Despite working together on-air, Ripa said the couple maintains a healthy level of space in their marriage. “We don’t see each other again until dinner,” she shared. “We need some separation. We need some mystery between us.”

Ripa also joked about on-air spats, saying, “We have arguments on the air… the audience becomes our counselors. Spoiler alert: I’m usually right.”

While Consuelos appeared on the July 28 episode of Live, he has been away from the show this week due to filming commitments in Los Angeles, with celebrity guest co-hosts stepping in during his absence.