Kelly Ripa claims she jumped into ocean to 'talk' to dolphins as she recounts wild holiday story
LOS ANGELES, CALIFRONIA: Kelly Ripa has amusingly shared her belief in a unique connection with dolphins. The 53-year-old TV host disclosed on the August 27 episode of 'Live with Kelly and Mark' that she felt a spiritual bond with these creatures while on a boat off the coast of Mexico, celebrating a friend's 50th birthday.
According to the US Magazine, their group had chartered a boat for “sunset cocktails” when they unexpectedly encountered a pod of wild dolphins.
Kelly Ripa reveals dolphin communication fantasy after seaquarium experience
Ripa recounted the moment with Entertainment Weekly, explaining that her belief in her dolphin communication skills stemmed from a prior experience.
“We had just done the show in Miami, and we’d gone to the Seaquarium and I swam with the dolphins. We were doing a taped piece where we communicate with the dolphins. So I, Kelly Ripa, jump into the water and I go, ‘I know how to talk to the dolphins!’ I’m like, ‘I’m going to call them over!’” she said.
Her cohost and husband, Mark Consuelos, 53, found the story amusing as Ripa described feeling no fear while swimming in the open ocean, despite a friend’s warning to stay cautious.
“Our friend Brian was standing on the bow of the boat and he’s going, ‘Kel, get back in the boat. Those are wild dolphins, those aren’t trained dolphins,'” Ripa said. “But, in my mind, I thought I could talk to the dolphins because I’d spoken so fluently to them.”
The couple, who have been married since 1996 and have three children — Lola, 23, Michael, 27, and Joaquin, 21 — have previously shared other wildlife experiences on their show.
Mark Consuelos recalls beach bird attack and Ripa's hilarious backstage confession
Consuelos once described a beach encounter where a flock of wild plover birds attacked their family on Long Island.
“We’re walking along the beach this summer evening, it was sunset-y, with the kids, and the birds were there, playing with the birds. This guy was walking toward us,” Consuelos remembered.
The birds began “dive-bombing us and the children” before the man intervened, saying, “You need to leave those birds alone!” To which Ripa quipped, “And Mark said, ‘Well they need to leave us alone!’”
Ripa is known for her humorous and candid anecdotes, including a recent backstage revelation on 'Live with Kelly and Mark'. She admitted to doing something so inappropriate that, if not married to Consuelos, she might have been fired.
“I felt his [Consuelos’] pants, and they feel nice. But, I was like, ‘My gosh, your thighs feel like they are made out of metal or stone.’ Marble! Carved out of marble. I’m backstage rubbing up and down his thighs, like, it doesn’t even seem possible. I realize people are looking at us like, ‘Are you OK? Do you forget that you’re in a place of business?’ And, yes is the answer!”
Consuelos has cohosted 'Live with Kelly and Mark' since April 17, 2023, taking over from Ryan Seacrest. The couple not only thrives personally but professionally as well, cofounding their production company, Milojo, in 2007.
