It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Kelly Ripa decided to celebrate in style—literally. The beloved cohost of Live With Kelly and Ryan (formerly Live With Kelly and Mark) shared a festive Christmas photo with her husband of 27 years, Mark Consuelos, and it sparked quite the reaction online. But here's the twist: Kelly went bold by going pantless in the snap. Yep, you read that right—no pants. And let me tell you, the internet had a lot to say about it.
Kelly and Mark’s Festive Holiday Vibes
At 53 years old, Kelly Ripa is still rocking it like nobody’s business. She posted a series of photos on Instagram to celebrate the holiday season, and in one of them, she and Mark, 52, were dressed in matching T-shirts that read, “Big Nick Energy.” Now, this phrase might not mean much to you unless you're a fan of the late-night host Nick Cannon, but trust me, it’s all about spreading good vibes. The couple looked like they were having the time of their lives, and honestly, who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas with these two?
The Pantless Controversy
But let’s get to the elephant in the room—or in this case, the lack thereof. In one of the photos, Kelly opted for a look that left her lower half bare, and people couldn’t help but notice. Some fans were quick to point out the absence of pants, with comments like, “Kelly forgot to put on pants,” and “Why is she in her underwear?” flooding the comment section. Others took it a step further, jokingly asking, “Why can’t we see Mark in his underwear? That would be the greatest gift of all times.”
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Now, I don’t know about you, but I think Kelly and Mark deserve a break from all the scrutiny. They’re celebrating Christmas with their family, and if Kelly wants to rock a swimsuit or go pantless, that’s entirely up to her. Social media can be a double-edged sword sometimes, can’t it?
Defending the Queen of Morning TV
Of course, Kelly’s loyal fans were quick to come to her defense. One commenter pointed out, “People!!!! It’s a swimsuit!!! Can’t you see the cabana in the background!!! And if it was underwear, it’s her Insta, she can post what she wants!! Good grief.” Another fan chimed in, saying, “They are standing in front of a cabana! That’s her swimsuit!” It’s clear that Kelly’s followers have her back, and honestly, who wouldn’t want a friend like that?
Despite the mixed reactions, it seems like Kelly and Mark had a fantastic Christmas with their family. Their two eldest children, Michael and Lola Consuelos, even made an appearance on a holiday baking segment of Live just before the big day. Kelly joked during the December 19 episode, “The chickens are back in the coop for the holidays,” referring to her kids coming home for the festivities.
Family Updates: Where Are the Kids Now?
Michael, 26, and Lola, 22, gave updates on their lives since moving out of their parents’ New York City penthouse. Michael shared that he’s been living in Brooklyn, producing for The Real Housewives. “It’s been great. About two years of that now. I’m still sane,” he said with a laugh. Meanwhile, Lola has been pursuing her music career in London after graduating from New York University in May. She gushed, “London is amazing. Making music. Everyone, please stream my songs. Tell your children to as well!”
And let’s not forget about their youngest, Joaquin Consuelos, who’s currently studying at the University of Michigan and wrestling for the school’s team. It’s clear that the Ripa-Consuelos family is thriving in different corners of the world, but they’ll always come together for the holidays.
