“They say, ‘Okay. How do we honor normal people? Kelly?'” the longtime talk show host joked about her decision to be chosen for the prestigious award.
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Kelly Ripa
Despite her status as the queen of daytime television, Kelly Ripa was surprised to learn she had been named a Disney Legend.
During a conversation with Disney CEO Bob Iger in the August 21 episode Let’s talk off camera In a podcast, the longtime talk show host admitted she was shocked to learn she was being awarded the title at the D23 event on August 11 in Anaheim, California. The Disney Legend is an honor given to individuals who have made a significant impact on the company.
In her podcast, Ripa, 53, told Iger, 73, that she felt “blindsided” when she received the honor.
Related: Kelly Ripa pokes fun at being named a Disney Legend – and praises her ‘super hot husband’
The Walt Disney Company
Kelly Ripa becomes a Disney legend at the D23 convention
“Once again, it was one of those moments where I thought Deborah O’Connell was playing an April Fool’s joke on me,” she admitted, before asking, “Why me? You needed a real person there to bring some kind of stabilization. There’s a lot of greatness, but then they say, ‘Okay. How do we honor normal people? Kelly?'”
Iger noted that “Disney Legends is basically the equivalent of the Disney Hall of Fame,” and assured Ripa that her award was well-deserved. He explained that her achievements on television, such as her time on All my children and hosting Live!“have contributed significantly not only to our success, but also to what we represent in the world.”
After Ripa announced that she is hosting Live! a quarter of a century, Iger continued, “Yes. So that’s 25 years, and when you look at that number, it’s just the pure time you were on the air. If you add it all up, that’s probably way up there.”
Related: Lindsay Lohan, Jeff Bridges and Jamie Lee Curtis attend D23, plus Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and more
“Ultimately, I agree with that list,” he continued. “And actually, I thought, well, why didn’t we get to that sooner? You’ve actually been worthy for some time. And I think it speaks volumes not only about you, but about the show that you’ve been on for so long now and that we appreciate.”
“It’s not just about sitting in a chair and saying ‘good morning’ every morning,” he added, explaining that the award is given for “who you are and what you represent.”
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney
Bob Iger on a stage in front of the Disney logo
Related: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos joke about whether he has any more kids: When the doorbell rings, I think: Here it comes.
On Sunday, August 11, Ripa was presented with her Disney Legend Award by her former co-host and boyfriend Ryan Seacrest.
“Thank you so much, and Ryan, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m so glad you finally found something else to host,” Ripa began her speech. “This feels unreal to me and I want to thank Bob Iger for this truly magical experience.”
Later in her speech, Ripa explained that she owes “everything” to the Walt Disney Company – both professionally and personally – as she met her “super hot husband” Mark Consuelos on the set of All my children.
The Walt Disney Company
Kelly Ripa receives the Disney Legends Award at D23
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The mother of three then joked that the couple “made” their children – sons Michael and Joaquin and daughter Lola – “right backstage in the Disney labs.”
Ripa concluded her speech by recalling the time her father took the family on their first trip to Walt Disney World in Florida before thanking those who had done her this honor.
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