Kelly Ripa gave a big thanks during a panel discussion at the 92Y in N.Y.C. The Live with Kelly and Mark co-host talked about her life journey and how she got to where she is now. She spoke about her rise from starting on a daytime soap opera to hosting her talk show and having a great family with her husband, Mark Consuelos.
Kelly then gave special thanks to one person, who said she would have nothing if not for them. Here is who Kelly thanked and what she said about it.
Kelly Ripa Thanks One Person For Giving Her A Family
Kelly Ripa was at 92Y in N.Y.C. and was on a panel called All My Children at 55. This was a special anniversary event hosted by Bravo’s Andy Cohen and All My Children legend Susan Lucci. During the panel, Kelly had big things to hand out to casting director Judy Blye Wilson.
During the panel, Cohen asked Wilson a question about her proudest casting moments on the show. Before Wilson could answer, Kelly, 54, interrupted the question to add something to the moment. Kelly said, “If I may add, without Judy, I would literally have nothing.”
Kelly then said that without Judy Blye Wilson, she would never have met and married Mark Consuelos. She never would have had her children with Mark. You are responsible for every good thing that’s ever happened to us. And I just want to publicly say that because I’ve said it before, but without you [present],” Kelly said (via PEOPLE).
Judy Blye Wilson Had To Fight For Mark Consuelos
Wilson cast Ripa as Hayley Vaughan on All My Children. In 1995, Wilson cast Mark Consuelos to play Mateo Santos on the series as Hayley’s love interest. Wilson admitted that the executives didn’t think that Mark was the right fit at first, but Wilson said that she fought for it.
“Finally, I begged to the producer and she [relented], and it turned out to be the best — one of the best parts — that I ever cast. Because it not only maintained for that story, but it obviously maintained for your life” Wilson said, referring to the marriage and family.
Susan Lucci, who played the iconic Erica Kane throughout the entire All My Children run, chimed in. She said they watched Ripa and Consuelos playing their roles and said, “Get a room.” Lucci admitted, “The chemistry between you two was coming right through the screen.”
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped one year later and married in Las Vegas. They now have three kids: Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21.
What are your thoughts on Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’s lives being the result of the All My Children casting director? Let us know in the comments below.
