Kelly Ripa‘s sudden departure from LIVE and her trip to London with daughter Lola has left fans puzzled. Is she planning to retire? The beloved talk show host has been dropping hints about stepping away from daytime TV. Could this be her way of testing the waters before making a big announcement? Read on to uncover the details behind Kelly’s unexpected getaway, her thoughts on retirement, and what this means for LIVE with Kelly and Mark.
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Kelly Ripa’s Mysterious London Trip
Kelly Ripa, the longtime co-host of LIVE with Kelly and Mark, shocked fans when she unexpectedly left the show and flew to London with her daughter, Lola Consuelos. The 53-year-old TV personality posted a cozy selfie with her 22-year-old daughter in the British capital, hinting at her deep affection with the caption: “With my [love].” The photo was accompanied by London Calling playing in the background, further fueling speculation about the nature of her trip.
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- USURPING THE THRONE? Andy Cohen cryptically revealed how Michael Consuelos, the son of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, made him feel “nervous” when the young man dared to join the Real Housewives show and spilled this one secret!
- Kelly Ripa shared that this year’s family Christmas tree will feel “lonelier” than usual because Lola won’t be coming home to celebrate with them after making an important announcement to the entire family…
- Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ son, Michael Consuelos, opened up about the frustrations he faced with his mother, Kelly Ripa, when he introduced his boyfriend to the family: “She still hasn’t fully accepted my sexuality.”
During her visit, Kelly immersed herself in the beauty of London, sharing snapshots of iconic red brick buildings, streets adorned with Union Jack flags, and even indulging in a classic British breakfast. One of the highlights of her trip was attending Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, where her friend, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, is currently performing as the Emcee until January 20. But amidst all the sightseeing and entertainment, fans couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. Was this trip just a getaway, or was Kelly seriously considering a major life change?
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Is Kelly Ripa Really Retiring From LIVE?
Speculation about Kelly’s potential retirement has been swirling for some time, but her latest trip has added more fuel to the fire. Earlier this month, during a candid conversation with former LIVE co-host Ryan Seacrest on her podcast Let’s Talk Off Camera, Kelly openly discussed her thoughts on stepping away from daytime television.
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- Hello, Essie! Mark Consuelos humorously shared how he “teased” his mother-in-law in the bathroom right in front of Kelly Ripa, leaving her utterly stunned.
- Mark Consuelos proudly shared that his eldest son, Michael, now “communicates” normally with him after he allowed his children to “bring partners home,” regardless of gender: “Michael showed me how happy I’d be with another son instead of a daughter-in-law!”
- Lola’s unexpected confession on [LIVE] left Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos blushing, as her two brothers couldn’t “silence” her in time before she revealed it!
“Do you ever contemplate retiring? Because I contemplate it constantly,” she asked Seacrest. The American Idol host, familiar with Kelly’s workaholic tendencies, responded with amusement: “I know you do. And where are you on that? How’s that going?” Without missing a beat, Kelly admitted, “I’m so close.” Her honesty left fans wondering if this could be the beginning of her farewell to LIVE.
Seacrest, who left LIVE in April, pointed out that despite her claims of wanting to slow down, Kelly keeps taking on more projects. In addition to LIVE, she co-hosts the game show Generation Gap and runs the New York-based production company Milojo with her husband, Mark Consuelos. While she acknowledges that she’ll never fully retire, she has made it clear that she wants to transition out of her current role at some point.
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Why London? The Possible Hidden Meaning Behind Her Getaway
Kelly’s frequent trips to London could be more than just vacations—they might be a glimpse into her future plans. Lola spent several months living and studying in London, and with Kelly’s growing attachment to the city, some fans speculate that she could be eyeing an international move.
Read more:
- Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’s eldest son posted a shirtless photo standing behind a waterfall, hinting at a new message: “water wears down stone.” In the end, Kelly finally accepted him living true to his sexuality!
- “It may sound cliché, but everything actually starts from within,” Kelly Ripa cryptically commented on Kourtney Kardashian’s sexual declaration, revealing she knows more about the darker side of that confession!
- Kelly Ripa hinted at some conflicts she’s facing with her youngest son, Joaquin, in a brief post: “You blink, and they’re gone.”
In an August interview with Purist magazine, Kelly revealed that she has been thinking about retiring soon, citing her risk-averse personality as the reason she’s stayed with LIVE for so long. “Other offers come along, but I like to stick with what I know,” she explained. While she reassured fans that she doesn’t intend to work in this job for the rest of her life, she hinted that a change might be on the horizon.
Could London be part of that change? With her daughter’s connection to the city and Kelly’s frequent visits, it wouldn’t be surprising if she decided to step away from LIVE and spend more time abroad. Whether she officially announces her retirement soon or simply scales back her workload, one thing is clear—Kelly is contemplating a major life shift.
While Kelly Ripa has not made an official statement about retiring from LIVE, her recent comments and spontaneous trip to London have certainly raised eyebrows. Whether she’s seriously considering stepping away from daytime TV or just taking a well-deserved break, fans are eager to see what she does next.
If Kelly does decide to leave, it would mark the end of an era for LIVE, a show she has been a part of since 2001. Will she continue her career in another capacity, perhaps taking on more behind-the-scenes roles with her production company? Or will she embrace a slower-paced life in London with her family?
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What do you think about Kelly’s trip to London? Could she be planning her exit from LIVE? Let us know in the comments!