Where is Kelly Ripa? 'LIVE With Kelly and Mark' host's week-long absence from show sparks concern

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA: The absence of Kelly Ripa from 'LIVE With Kelly and Mark' has left fans scratching their heads.

For over a week now, the talk show queen has been missing from her morning throne, and Monday, August 12, marked yet another day without her. So, what’s keeping Kelly away from the spotlight she commands so effortlessly?

The talk show icon's unexpected absence began on August 5, 2024, surprising many of her loyal followers who tuned in to see her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, holding down the fort alongside a series of A-lister co-hosts.

From the show’s longtime announcer Deja Vu to celebrity appearances by Jane Krakowski, Jenny Mollen, and Maria Menounos, the guest hosts have been doing their best to keep the energy alive.

Kelly Ripa’s absence explained

While Kelly Ripa may be missing from 'LIVE', she wasn’t entirely out of the spotlight. On Sunday, August 11, she was celebrated at the D23 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony in Anaheim, California - a prestigious event that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Disney’s legacy.

Kelly, with her decades-long career on daytime television, was a fitting addition to the roster of honorees. While her husband Consuelos also attended the D23 ceremony alongside her, but unlike Kelly, he made it back to New York in time for the show.

His return without his co-host has only fueled the speculation about her whereabouts. According to Decider, she is reportedly on her "annual summer vacation."

The D23 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, held at the Honda Center in California, also honored a distinguished group of individuals, including Angela Bassett, Colleen Atwood, Harrison Ford, James Cameron, James L Brooks, Jamie Lee Curtis, Joe Rohde, John Williams, Mark Henn, Marthan Blanding, Miley Cyrus, and Steve Ditko.

Kelly Ripa’s rise to stardom

Kelly Ripa’s influence goes far beyond her current role on 'LIVE'. She first gained recognition on 'All My Children', where she portrayed Hayley Vaughan from 1990 to 2002. It was on that show that she met Consuelos, who played her character’s love interest, Mateo Santos, from 1995 to 2002.

Married in 1996, Kelly and Consuelos have three children: Michael, Lola, and Joaquin. The couple even returned to their iconic roles in 2010 for the soap’s 40th anniversary.

Ripa transitioned to 'LIVE' in 2001, stepping in for Kathie Lee Gifford, and has since worked alongside co-hosts like Regis Philbin, Michael Strahan, and Ryan Seacrest.

In April 2023, her husband, Consuelos, joined her on the show, taking over as Seacrest’s successor. Her journey from soap opera star to talk show queen has solidified her place in the entertainment industry, becoming a household name.

Despite Kelly's continued absence, the show must go on. 'LIVE' has a star-studded lineup on Tuesday, August 13, with appearances from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hannah Waddingham, and Tweet Boogie.

But as the show rolls on without one of its key players, fans are left to speculate - when will Kelly return to her rightful place on the 'LIVE' stage?