Kelly Ripa alleges she was ‘commanded’ to employ Regis Philbin’s hair and makeup team during ‘Live!’ contract negotiations

Kelly Ripa discussed the behind-the-scenes circumstances that led to her joining “Live!” as Regis Philbin’s cohost in 2001.

Prior to gaining a full-time position on the talk program, Ripa, recognized for her role as Hayley Vaughan on “All My Children,” served as a guest cohost. In July 2000, following Kathie Lee Gifford’s departure, a search began for a replacement cohost.

In her Tuesday-released book titled “Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories,” Ripa writes that she felt a “vibe shift” when she cohosted “Live!” for the third time. The actress stated that she was “provided with a litany of reminders” prior to her performance.

Ripa, who was pregnant with her second child at the time, writes, “My agency stated they didn’t want me bringing an entourage to the studio.” “He stated that there were complaints. This confused me as I had just brought my hair and makeup team, Richard and Doreen.

She stated that she would never be called to cohost again. “As all women do, I questioned what I had done to bring about this rapid transformation and held myself responsible.”

After that, the then-president of ABC daytime, Angela Shapiro, informed Ripa that the network intended to make her an official offer to become the new regular cohost.

In her book, Ripa described a rift between the network (ABC) and the show’s local affiliate (WABC). The Emmy-winning anchor stated that she informed Shapiro that she did not believe the “Live!” staff, including Philbin, appreciated her.

In October 2004, Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin appeared on Live with Kelly and Regis.

The Spencer Platt/Newsmakers website

The job offer came with a warning, according to Ripa: “They want to make sure you know who your boss is.”

Ripa recalled discussing the offer with her husband, Mark Consuelos, who informed her that the new position would provide “greater money and better working hours.” Ripa stated that her representative notified her over the phone of a laundry list of “deal breakers.”

Ripa remarked that anyone in the entertainment world who had been listening would have found the list humorous. I viewed them as petty for lack of a more precise descriptor.

“Typically, the deciding factor in any negotiation is money, as it was in this case, but the executives at ‘Live!’ were equally willing to scuttle the agreement for far lesser matters. “I’m referring to the most fundamental of fundamentals,” she explained.

Ripa stated, “I was not authorized to employ my own hair and makeup artists.”

She stated, “I cannot emphasize more how common it is to have a dedicated makeup and hair team on any show, much less one bearing the ‘talent’s’ name.” “However, this was the primary deal-breaker and the most significant flashpoint in my entire contract.”

2004 Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin.

Matthew Pace/FilmMagic

According to Ripa, her small staff was not permitted to apply her hair and makeup before to “All My Children” talk show tapings, “even if I paid them myself.”

She stated, “I was ordered, absolutely ordered, to use Regis’s hair and cosmetics team.” I argued that it was illogical for me to have to travel to a second studio, wash my face and hair, and have everything recreated for the soap. They maintained that it was a deal-breaker because ‘Live!’ had a very distinct appearance. We laughed at the ridiculousness of imagining what that expression could mean.

Ripa noted that she was relieved to discover that the show’s makeup artist and hair stylist were “skilled” and “welcoming.” However, there were additional issues of dispute in the proposal.

Ripa stated, “there would be no wardrobe services or money,” which, according to her, “never occurs on any show.” In addition, there was no paid maternity leave and she was not allowed to maintain an office (“I simply had to have my own cubicle”).

Furthermore, Ripa stated that her name had to be smaller than Regis’s on the ‘Live!’ title board and branding. A game of inches, which is self-explanatory. On this point, though, we agreed.”

In 2011, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa taped “Live! With Regis and Kelly.”

AP/Charles Sykes

Ripa accepted the position, and the show’s title was changed to “Live! With Regis and Kelly.”

She and Philbin worked together until his retirement. After his last episode aired on November 18, 2011, Ripa assumed control of the program. Diverse celebrities served as guest cohosts until 2012, when former NFL player Michael Strahan was chosen as the show’s new regular cohost.

Four years later, he left the show, and Ryan Seacrest has been Ripa’s cohost since 2017.