Kelly Ripa has bravely shared how her past experiences on the ABC show Live! had left her with a "little PTSD".
Ryan Seacrest made the decision to leave their morning show after six years, and the pair made the announcement earlier in 2023, Kelly's husband Mark Consuelos will join her as the new co-host, but Kelly has now revealed that she was left incredibly nervous before the big news was shared.
"Ryan and Mark were like, 'What are you nervous about? It's going to be fine.' And I said to them, 'You have to forgive me. I have a little PTSD,'" Kelly told Variety in a recent interview.
Kelly has seen the show undergo several changes in her 22 years as a host on the series which she joined in 2001. The former All My Children star joined Regis Philbin but after 10 years he chose to announce his departure live on air, shocking his co-anchor.
Regis was replaced by Michael Strahan in 2012 but after four contentious years working alongside Kelly, he made the decision to leave - and announced the news - while Kelly was away on vacation
MORE: The big clue you may have missed about Kelly Ripa's new Live co-star
"It was very tough," Kelly explained of the hard times. "Had I known how difficult it would have been, I don't know that I would have gone for it. I just think my ignorance in that situation wound up being my blessing and my superpower. I did not have an easy time."
"I can't say it enough. I had a really difficult time. These transitions don't have to be dramatic," she added.
"I [come] from an acting background, and I am an expert in rejection. But this was like weirdly being rejected while also being the person that they wanted for the show."
MORE: David Muir gushes over Kelly Ripa's children in revealing new interview
MORE: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' son lives a very different life to his famous parents
But the mom-of-three praised the way the current transition from Ryan to Mark had been taking place, even while she currently is on vacation away from ABC studios.
American Idol host Ryan's last day as Kelly's hosting partner is April 14, after which the star's husband of over twenty years, Mark, will begin his official hosting duties next to his wife.
Ryan initially announced the news of his departure back in February, revealing that he would be moving back to California and focusing on his American Idol hosting duties, which is currently on its 21st season.
Read more HELLO! US stories here
Want to keep up to date with the latest stories?Sign up to our HELLO! Newsletters today.