On a recent episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” co-host Kelly Ripa was noticeably absent, leaving viewers curious about the reason behind her unexpected break from her usual hosting duties. Mark Consuelos, Ripa’s husband and co-anchor, stepped in to provide an explanation at the beginning of the show, revealing that Ripa had lost her voice.
“Yesterday you could tell she was losing her voice a little bit – it’s gone, it’s lost,” Consuelos explained, addressing the audience about Ripa’s absence.
Déjà Vu, the longtime “Live” announcer, stepped in to fill Ripa’s shoes for the day. During the show, Déjà Vu expressed concern about Ripa’s well-being, asking if she was okay. Consuelos reassured both the stand-in host and the audience, stating, “Yeah, she’s gonna feel better, she’s just resting a little bit. I’m sure she’ll feel better soon.”
Later in the episode, Consuelos shared that he had been quarantining away from Ripa to avoid catching laryngitis. Despite Ripa’s absence, the show continued with Consuelos and Déjà Vu discussing trending topics, interviewing guests such as comedian Sebastian Maniscalco and illusionist David Blaine. Ripa even made a virtual appearance when they played a clip from 2006 featuring her participating in one of Blaine’s stunts.
Ripa and Consuelos have been co-hosting “Live with Kelly and Mark” since April, taking over from longtime host Ryan Seacrest. While Ripa has previously taken occasional sick days, her absence on this particular occasion was due to losing her voice.
This isn’t the first time Ripa has taken a break from the show; over the summer, she was absent for three episodes within two weeks. During that time, a source clarified to Page Six that she was utilizing some of her scheduled days off, which is a standard practice, especially during the summer.
The couple’s close friend Anderson Cooper had filled in for Ripa during one of her previous absences. Ripa and Consuelos have been open about their personal lives on the show, discussing various aspects of their relationship. Despite occasional criticism of their public displays of affection, the couple continues to share glimpses into their lives with their audience.
“Live with Kelly and Mark” airs on weekdays at 9 a.m. ET on ABC, providing a daily dose of entertainment and conversation for viewers. As Ripa takes a brief hiatus to recover from laryngitis, Consuelos and Déjà Vu keep the energy alive, ensuring the show goes on smoothly.
