Kelly Ripa is now officially a Disney Legend! The morning talk show host and former All my children The star (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos) received the honor over the weekend at the D23 event in Anaheim, California, home of Disneyland.
The Legend award is given to those individuals who have had a significant impact on the Walt Disney Company. Ripa received the recognition for her work in television during her three-decade career, beginning with All my children, followed by almost a quarter century of hosting Live! You can watch the ceremonies when they stream on DisneyPlus on Monday, August 12.
Ryan Seacrest presented Ripa with the award, marking a reunion between the two who hosted together Live! for six seasons before Seacrest decided to return to the West Coast full-time (the talk show is filmed in New York City). After Seacrest’s exit, Ripa’s real-life husband and former AMC co-star Mark Consuelos (formerly Mateo Santos) took over the co-host job and ratings have increased impressively since then.
Photo: Disney
As Kelly took the podium to accept her honors, she said, “Thank you so much, and Ryan, thank you from the bottom of my heart.” She joked, “I’m just so glad you finally found something else to host.”
Ripa continued, “This feels unreal to me and I want to thank Bob Iger (CEO, Walt Disney Company) for this truly magical experience.” Speaking to the cameras and audience, she also noted, “I know what you’re thinking. Why her? What has she ever done?”
Kelly proudly said she has worked for the same company for 34 years, “which is my great fortune. I owe everything to Disney. Not just my career, but my entire immediate family.”
Photo: JPI
“I met my super hot husband (Mark Consuelos) on the set of All my children 30 years ago, and from then on we conceived our own three children (Lola, Michael and Joaquin) right backstage at Disney Labs.” Kelly jokingly added, “HR asked me to remind everyone of their strict rule that there are no hidden Mickeys. Being a ‘Disney Legend’ is just the pixie dust on the sundae. Thank you so much, I am so honored.”
Mark Consuelos himself commented on Ripa’s Instagram post about the event, saying: “The woman, the myth, the Disney legend!!! Proud of you baby!!!!” Also present were former sister-in-law from the film world, now Natalia from GH, Eva LaRue (ex-Maria, All my children) expressed, “OH, MY GOD – Unbelievable! Congratulations 😍😍😍😍🎉🎉🎉🎉”
The 2024 Disney Legend Other award winners included: Miley Cyrus, Angela Bassett, Colleen Atwood, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Joe Rohde and John Williams.
What do you think about Kelly Ripa becoming a Disney Legend? Comment below.
