Before ‘Live’ Made Her American TV’s First Lady, Kelly Ripa Was Forced to Struggle for Paid Vacations and Even Maternity Leaves
Nowadays, Kelly Ripa is a household name when it comes to tv talk shows. With 22 years of work experience as a co-host in ABC’s Live! her career until now is one to take seriously. But like many young working professionals, Ripa also had a rough start in the entertainment industry.
She has opened up about her experience with ABC and it turns out that for a very long time, she did not receive what she should have as one of the main hosts. From having to use public bathrooms backstage and no paid leaves, Ripa struggled with such issues for a long while.
Kelly Ripa Did Not Have A Smooth Start With Her Talk Show Career
Even though Kelly Ripa had been a long-time host for Live! Working with ABC was not an easy sail for her. The talk show host started her career as an actress in a Soap-opera. And in 2001, she started her career as a co-host alongside Regis Philbin. Unfortunately, the starting years at ABC were cruel to her as Ripa revealed in her 2022 book Live Wires: Long-Winded short stories. The 52-year-old opened up about how she was treated in terms of workplace arrangements.
And according to her revelations, she was provided with a Janitor’s room as her office area and it had been only after she requested it. Worse still, Ripa had to use the public bathroom shared with audiences on the show.
As a host, it had been embarrassing for her to stand in line with her audience to use the washroom. While at the same time, her co-host Philbin enjoyed his private bathroom provided by the company. Furthermore, during the early years, she went through pregnancy but was not provided with paid or even maternity leave.
This meant the talk show host had to stand in line while pregnant to access the washroom. According to Ripa, she witnessed the difference in the treatment between herself and her male counterparts. But despite such circumstances, she kept on working, and now Ripa is unquestionably the one who took the show further.
Kelly Ripa and The List of Her Live! Co-Hosts
Throughout her 22 years as a host on ABC’s Live! Kelly Ripa has had a slew of co-hosts. Starting with Regis Philbin who started as the main host of the show. In 2001, Ripa replaced the previous co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford.
However, after 10 years since she joined, Philbin decided to exit the shoe in 2011. Next came Michael Strahan who worked as her co-host for 4 years until he also departed and joined Good Morning America.
Ripa’s most recent co-host was Ryan Seacrest, and among everyone only he seems to have formed a close bond with her. Unfortunately, Seacrest also announced his exit from the show a few months ago. And according to reports, Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos will be joining as her co-host replacing Seacrest.
Source: Variety
