Was Kelly Ripa Blindsided By Ryan Seacrest’s Departure From ‘Live’?
Is Ryan Seacrest’s exit a shock to Kelly Ripa? Did the Live With Kelly and Ryan host get blindsided by this news?
Here is what we know about Ryan’s exit from Live.
Was Ryan Seacrest’s Exit A Shocker?
When Ryan Seacrest announced his departure from Live, this was a huge shock to fans. However, was Kelly Ripa blindsided by this announcement?
According to People, she was not. Seacrest and Ripa revealed that they have “been talking about this for a long time.”
Ryan admits this was a “bittersweet” decision. More so, Kelly was part of the planning all along. However, Kelly did reveal that this was only going to last three years. Then, there was the pandemic and the two pals were grateful to have such a good working relationship during a very challenging period.
![Kelly Ripa & Ryan Seacrest [Live with Kelly & Ryan | YouTube]](https://tvshowsace.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kelly-Ripa-And-Ryan-Seacrest-Interview-The-Bachelor.jpg)
Michael Strahan’s Departure Blindsided Kelly Ripa
Unlike Ryan Seacrest’s planned departure, Kelly Ripa was “blindsided” by Michael Strahan’s departure. Strahan had sat alongside Ripa for four years after Regis Philbin left. Executives at ABC made this decision. What was worse was that she found out with everyone else.
Kelly took some time off after this announcement and everything hung in the balance. There were many questions about the All My Children alum leaving as well. However, when she returned, the usually composed morning show host was emotional as she spoke out about the importance of communication. Most of all, she shared her disappointment about the lack of “respect in the workplace.”
Ryan Seacrest & Kelly Ripa Always Wanted To Work Together
According to an interview Kelly Ripa gave to Variety, ABC executives were nervous about her friendship with the American Idol host.
What the show liked about Regis and me is that we didn’t really have a relationship. They liked two people coming together, having breakfast, and letting it all unfold. The network and studio’s fear of Ryan and me is we are so close and we’ve been so close — it’d be like working with yourself!
However, the two pals quickly squashed any doubts. Their different styles and interests added to the appeal of Live!
Moreover, this experiment likely contributed to the current decision to bring in Kelly’s husband Mark Consuelos full time. The Riverdale alum fits in with the show perfectly.
Most of all, when Kelly was blindsided by Strahan’s departure, others come in her support. She revealed that she was seen. Every on-air woman contacted her to support her when she was not part of the decision-making.
I don’t think there was an on-air woman that I didn’t hear from: either a personal letter or an email or a text or DM. It’s so easy to think that it’s just you. But you’d be amazed how many people don’t feel seen or heard at all. I didn’t kick up a fuss; it wasn’t a big thing; I was just like, I’m not doing this. If I’m not worthy of a discussion, if I’m not worthy of you running this conversation by me — it was outrageous.”
This difficult period of Kelly’s career and her public frustration most likely led to her being told from the beginning about Ryan’s departure.
it’s no picnic working with kelly. she is not even easy to watch I haven’t watched her since Regis left