Kelly Ripa is one of the most popular personalities on daytime television. The actress and media personality is the co-host of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” a show she hosts with her husband, Mark Consuelos. While hosts have changed over the years, Ripa has kept her spot, working alongside Michael Strahan and Ryan Seacrest. Last week, Ripa was absent from the show, which raised some questions from viewers.

© Cara Howe

Ripa’s absence was not explained by the show, but according to her Instagram Stories, she was traveling. On Wednesday, Ripa shared a Story revealing that she would be attending a Disney event. She wrote that she was “honored and excited to join the 2024 class of Disney Legends at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.”

The event is held in Anaheim, California and has a long history. Over the years, the show has honored “gifted animators, Imagineers, songwriters, actors, business leaders and more for the significant impact they have had on the Disney legacy.”

Previous guests and entertainers include Angela Lansbury, Dick Van Dyke, Phil Collins and Robin Williams

Ripa was thrilled to receive the honor from Disney and shared the news on her show in shock. Consuelos expressed his support, saying, “I think you absolutely belong. And I’m really, really proud of you.”

Not only is Ripa a legend in her own right, she is also a Disney icon, having worked for the company for the past 34 years.

© Jared Siskin

More details about this week’s program on “Live with Kelly and Mark”

To fill Ripa’s absence, Consuelos was joined by several co-hosts, including Maria Menounos. In the coming days, Consuelos will collaborate with Déjà-vu And Jenny Mollen.

Last week, the show featured all kinds of celebrities, including Blake Lively, John Stamos, Mike Colter, and more.