Kelly Ripa (55) Says This Nighttime Routine Works Like a Chastity Belt for Husband Mark

Kelly Ripa shared a funny insight into her marriage with Mark Consuelos on an episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, revealing how her nightly dental routine has become an unexpected barrier to romance. The longtime couple, married since 1996, are known for their playful banter, and this time Ripa joked about her oral retainer acting as a total mood killer.

She explained that while she takes her dental hygiene very seriously, it comes at a cost. “I pop my retainer in. He hears the retainer pop in, it’s like a chastity belt!” Ripa said, laughing.

Consuelos agreed with the assessment and added a humorous analogy about koalas, saying he feels like one ignoring a mate when the evening signals aren’t promising. The comment referenced a study he mentioned about koalas being indifferent to romantic rejection, and he teased that he’s learned to read the nightly cues just like the marsupials.

The couple has often been open about how their busy schedules affect their intimacy. Ripa noted that their new work-life balance, particularly co-hosting their morning show together since 2023, has shifted their routines.

“I have a retainer in, I gotta rip that out. And he’s got his nasal strips on. It’s like we are the most repulsive, disgusting [people],” she joked, highlighting the less glamorous reality behind their polished on-screen appearances.

Consuelos chimed in that the demands of hosting a morning show act as the “antidote” to their previous morning romance, adding humor to the challenges of combining a high-profile career with married life.

Despite the teasing, it’s clear the pair has maintained a strong and enduring connection. They recently celebrated 30 years since meeting on the set of All My Children and continue to navigate careers and family life together. They share three adult children—Michael, Lola, and Joaquin—and have shown a knack for keeping both their personal and professional lives active.

Ripa and Consuelos have also remained busy professionally. Consuelos made his Broadway debut in Fallen Angels, which received positive reviews, while Ripa has been recording new episodes of her podcast Let’s Talk Off Camera, featuring guests like Lukas Gage.

The duo also appeared at the Academy Awards in April, hosting their annual After the Oscars special from the Dolby Theatre. Even with all the work and public appearances, Ripa’s humorous reflections on her nightly routine show that the couple can laugh at the quirks of long-term marriage.

Between her retainer and his nasal strips, it’s a playful reminder that behind the fame and red carpets, the couple deals with the same everyday compromises and funny realities that many couples face.

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