Kelly Ripa is left furious after she’s blindsided by allegations of sexual misconduct against co-host Ryan Seacrest.
Kelly: March 19, 2018
He’s got a reputation as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. But on Feb. 26, Ryan Seacrest joined the ranks of Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer and other celebrities publicly accused of sexual misconduct. Ryan’s former E! stylist Suzie Hardy spoke to Variety, alleging that Ryan subjected her to years of unwanted sexual aggression, including grinding against her in his underwear, groping her private parts and slapping her butt so hard it left a welt. The next day, Ryan issued a statement claiming Suzie had tried to get money from him before going public with her charges, and noting that E! had already conducted a monthslong independent investigation — and cleared him. “I have no choice,” he said, “but to... deny the claims against me, remind people that I was recused of any wrongdoing and put the matter to rest.”
But for Ryan’s co-host, Kelly Ripa, the issue isn’t settled. Shocked and blindsided by the allegations against her Live With Kelly and Ryan partner, Kelly feels deeply betrayed. Ryan never told her about Suzie’s claims, which initially were outlined in a complaint to human resources back in 2013 — the same year she was let go after six years as Ryan’s stylist. “Kelly feels embarrassed because she was very care- ful, took her time finding a co-host and vouched for Ryan to join Live,” an insider exclusively tells Life & Style. “She’s very upset.”
CAUGHT BY SURPRISE
When he was first auditioning to be her co-host, Kelly, 47, was drawn to Ryan’s squeaky-clean reputation. She knew that would make him a big draw, both for morning-show viewers and advertisers. “Of course she didn’t assume Ryan had skeletons in his closet,” says the insider. “No one did.”
Kelly’s publicly standing by her co-host for now. On March 1, she offered Ryan, 43, her support onair, telling him, “I just want you to know that you are a privilege to work with, and I adore you.... I know what an easy, professional, great person you are, and I feel very, very lucky to work with you each and every day.” But even though she believes he did nothing wrong, Kelly feels Ryan had to have known the ugly assertions could come out — especially if, as he claims, Suzie demanded “millions” in exchange for her silence (which he refused to pay). And Kelly is furious that Ryan left her in the dark about the accusations. “She can’t help feeling like this is all going to blow up,” the insider says, “and affect her and her morning show.”
LOTS OF DISAPPOINTMENT
It isn’t the first time Kelly’s been betrayed by a co-host. She was rocked by Michael Strahan’s abrupt decision to leave the show for Good Morning America in April 2016 — a move that left her searching for another co-host for more than a year. At one point, she even suggested her husband, actor Mark Consuelos, 46, for the job — but the network passed, citing his lack of proven ratings clout.
Ryan seemed like the perfect solution when he joined the show in May 2017. But now Kelly’s left desperately hoping Ryan will be able to prove his innocence and viewers will believe him. “Kelly feels like she’s cursed,” says the insider. “Sometimes she thinks maybe she’s better off just hosting alone.”