Partners in life — and in work! Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos soaked up some quality time together before officially beginning their cohosting duties on Live.
“We really wanted to get away, be with each other and connect before the show,” Ripa, 52, exclusively reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly. “We had been working together at home, but getting away and connecting was important to us.”
The couple, who have been married since 1996, jetted off to a private island in the Caribbean for some last-minute — and much-needed — relaxation. “Just knowing we were about to do something new made us really appreciate every moment,” Consuelos, also 52, tells Us, adding that he enjoyed the duo’s “intimate dinners” and the opportunities for “exploring new beaches.”
According to the Riverdale actor, the pair “had a nice balance” and tried not to spend the entire vacation talking shop before kicking off Live With Kelly and Mark. Ripa jokes that her “favorite part” was getting to “wake up at a normal hour” before returning to set.
“It gave me and Mark the time to plan and think about, the first week [of the show], but also what are we are going to be doing 10 years down the road,” she says.
Ripa has been a mainstay on the ABC daytime series for more than 20 years. While Consuelos has made many guest appearances on the show, he began his permanent tenure as cohost on Monday, April 17, following Ryan Seacrest‘s departure. (Us confirmed in February that the American Idol host, 48, would be leaving Live after nearly six years. His final episode aired Friday, April 14.)
Sharing the screen isn’t a new experience for Ripa and Consuelos, who met while costarring on All My Children in the ’90s. “We absolutely love every time since the beginning we get to work together,” the Live Wire author tells Us. “We have this shorthand [communication] and always know what the other is thinking.”
The Spain native, meanwhile, is excited to learn from one of the best in the business. “Kelly does an amazing job preparing me for everything, giving me all her insider tips!” he raves, adding that the idea to cohost the talk show was “truly both of ours together.”
One of the biggest takeaways for Consuelos was learning how “to really be myself on camera,” he says. “I am constantly in awe of Kelly. I’m just trying to live up to the energy she brings every morning.”
Ripa has no doubt that her “amazing” husband will settle into his new role seamlessly. “He had such an ease on the show when he’s filled in,” she tells Us. “I know he’ll be amazing.”
When it comes to the biggest perk of working with her real-life partner, the New Jersey native jokes, “I’m looking forward to having a carpool buddy!”
The twosome took their debut episode by storm on Monday, welcoming TLC singer Chilli and psychic Char Margolis as their first guests. Throughout the show, Ripa revisited some of Consuelos’ most memorable Live appearances from years past.
Following his big premiere, the Pitch alum exclusively told Us that he “can’t wait to see” how he and Ripa continue to grow. “This show today truly felt like home,” he gushed. “I always feel at home with Kelly, but [working] together this morning just felt so right.”
The Hope & Faith alum chimed in: “Mark did amazing! Better than I even thought. … He’s a natural and I have a good feeling this is going to be great for a while.”
Scroll down for a glimpse of how Ripa and Consuelos relaxed on their pre-Live getaway: