Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos’ Relationship Might Be Buckling Under the ‘Constant’ Weight of Fame

Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos’ Relationship Might Be Buckling Under the ‘Constant’ Weight of Fame

Generate Key Takeaways

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos make their marriage look breezy every morning on Live With Kelly and Mark, but even they fall prey to a bit of tension.

But on the Oct. 22 episode of the show, the couple raised eyebrows when they seemed to have an on-air tiff about the idea of an “airport divorce.”

“You and I have different traveling philosophies,” she explained of the concept. “You need to get there between four to 16 hours before a flight takes off.”

He responded, “But that’s not true, I like to get there an hour and a half before.”

Ripa then claimed that Consuelos got “irritated” when fans recognized him at the airport, and he pushed back.

“Don’t put that out there. I’m very nice to people. That’s not cool,” Consuelos said defensively.

She course-corrected the conversation by saying he got frustrated with her, but the on-air squabble was definitely in full force.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos at the 2024 TIME100 Gala held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2024 in New York City.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos at the 2024 TIME100 Gala held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2024 in New York City.

“No. I don’t get irritated with you,” Consuelos added while trying to make the discourse lighter. “I’m irritated with you right now for trying to throw me under the bus.”

Still, insiders are talking about the unexpected bickering from the usually affable couple — and it might have to do with Consuelos’ higher profile after taking over Ryan Seacrest’s seat on the morning talk show.

“Mark’s not used to this kind of fame,” a source told Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice Substack. “He loves the perks, but hates the constant exposure. Kelly’s been doing this for decades — she lives for the audience. Mark just wants to get through the show and disappear.”

In the aftermath of the “airport divorce” discourse, Ripa let it roll off her back, but her husband is reportedly still stewing over the segment. The 55-year-old TV personality is used to the fame, but Consuelos is still adjusting to the constant spotlight.

“She’s a natural showwoman,” a second source added. “He’s a private guy trapped in public life.”

For anyone wondering if there’s trouble in paradise for the dynamic duo after 29 years of marriage… don’t worry, they are solid.

Ripa revealed the secret to her relationship success with Consuelos on the Jan. 23, 2020, episode, when she was hosting the show with Seacrest. “You’re going to fight, you’re going to have disagreements. Relationships, marriages are not sprints, it’s a marathon,” she said. “There’s going to be like, mile 24, when you’re like, ‘I quit.’ But you just got to push through. Just push through,” she advised.

She continued, “There’s really nothing that’s that insurmountable. I mean, besides abuse and things of that nature. You’re going to fight. You’re going to have disagreements. You’re going to fundamentally not agree on things. And if you take a breath, you usually can’t remember what you’re fighting about… or sleep on the couch.”

Spoken like a true marriage pro!