In a recent interview with Time magazine, former NFL star Michael Strahan opened up about the strained friendship between him and his former co-host Kelly Ripa. The revelation came three years after his abrupt departure from their popular daytime talk show, “Live with Kelly and Michael,” to join ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
The news of Michael’s departure left both Kelly and their audiences in shock. The dynamic duo, known for their on-screen chemistry and witty banter, now seemed to be on opposite sides of a crumbling friendship. Their fallout grabbed headlines and left fans wondering what had gone wrong.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Michael admitted that their relationship had not been repaired and that they hadn’t spoken in a long time. The former New York Giants defensive lineman co-hosted the show with Kelly from 2012 to 2016. During this time, their once-thriving bond suffered a severe blow.
One of the significant catalysts for their strained relationship was Michael’s decision to join “Good Morning America” without informing Kelly beforehand, leaving her feeling blindsided. She even took a nearly one-week leave, which ABC called a “pre-scheduled vacation,” right after his announcement. Upon her return, Kelly emphasized the importance of communication, consideration, and respect in the workplace.
Michael’s departure from “Live” led to a rotating cast of guest co-hosts until Ryan Seacrest eventually became his permanent replacement about a year later. Meanwhile, Michael’s career has soared across multiple platforms, including co-hosting the third hour of “Good Morning America,” working on the popular “Fox NFL Sunday” show, and hosting the game show “The $100,000 Pyramid.”
Although the fallout between Michael and Kelly may have left a void in their partnership, it’s evident that many people still support Michael. Commenters on social media have expressed their loyalty to him, with one person stating, “Michael is a nice man. Do not cross her!” Others believe that Michael didn’t owe Kelly any explanations about his career decisions, as one commenter astutely noted, “He doesn’t owe her anything…plain and simple.”
While the true reasons behind the strain in Michael and Kelly’s relationship remain undisclosed, one commenter shed some light on the situation. According to them, “the head of Disney asked him not to disclose his move to ‘Good Morning America’ to avoid alerting the competition. When your boss tells you to keep quiet, you keep quiet.”
In the end, this unexpected fallout between the two once-beloved hosts serves as a reminder that relationships can be complex, even in the world of television. As Michael Strahan bravely reveals his truth after three years, the hope for the restoration of their rapport lingers.
