Misogyny, sexism, pay gaps… Kelly Ripa’s first steps on American television were not easy. Now that she’s risen in the industry, the 52-year-old presenter opens up about her past struggles in a lengthy interview with Variety magazine.
“If I had known how difficult it was going to be, I would not have tried my luck. I think my ignorance in this situation was a blessing and a superpower to me. It wasn’t easy for me,” she admits to the American media.
After her debut on the American soap opera All My Children, Kelly Ripa landed in millions of households thanks to her position on Regis Philbin’s morning talk show in 2001. More than two decades — and three more co-hosts late — she still holds the role of Fort of Live, the ABC network’s popular morning show.
She’s now being called the “Queen” of that time slot, along with Oprah Winfrey, Phil Donahue, Jerry Springer, and Regis Philbin before her. But the first steps of his ascent were anything but easy.
offices and toilets
examples? She had to wait more than four years before she got her backstage office at the ABC newspaper, despite her repeated requests. Rooms, however vacant, had previously been denied him.
Studio management finally relented… and agreed to free up space for him in a concierge closet.
And while her co-host Regis Philbin had a private bathroom at her disposal, Kelly Ripa had to queue with viewers of the show to use the studio’s public restrooms during commercial breaks.
“During my pregnancies, waiting in line was incredibly stressful [pour utiliser les toilettes]. I had to host the show while still in line to go to the bathroom. It all seemed like an unnecessarily complicated situation to me,” she told Variety.
The network’s masterminds also kept her out of any discussions regarding the morning show. Among other things, she learned about the departure of her colleague Regis Philbin from the air at the same time as the public. The same applies to the departure of his successor Michael Strahan, who she only found out about when his new contract was formalised.
“I know what it’s like to feel like you’re not wanted. I was an actress, so I’m an expert on rejection. But in these cases, it was strange to feel rejected while remaining the person they hired for the show, ”she explains to the American magazine.
pay equity
Salary has long been a point of contention for Kelly Ripa. She had to fight hard — and long — against live show executives to get pay equity with her male co-hosts. It was ultimately after an argument that she got her due, according to her comments, which were reported by Variety.
“I don’t think they wanted to pay me. I think they had to pay me. I was about to leave and closed the door behind me. And I think they quickly realized that they had made a big mistake and weren’t doing well because of it. I think that’s what caused them to pay my dues. They had no choice,” she says.