It's no secret that talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres has been known to ruffle a
few feathers. But many were surprised to learn that soap-opera-star-turned-talk-show-host
Kelly Ripa may have joined the roster of celebrities who can't stand DeGeneres. Rumor has it the
feud first ignited when DeGeneres took it upon herself to invite Ripa's former co-host,
Michael Strahan, on her show.
Morning show viewers may recall that in 2016, Strahan announced his departure from the Live!
With Kelly and Michael show and started a new gig at Good Morning America. The decision
didn't exactly go over well with Ripa — a source told The New York Times that she "felt
blindsided." And according to certain tabloids, if Ripa is giving someone the silent treatment,
she expects everyone else in her circle to do the same — including DeGeneres.
The timing of Strahan's departure had a lot to do with the start of his feud with Ripa,
who reportedly found out about his leaving just moments before the announcement was made
to the public.
"I'm leaving the show… boooo…. I know."
In a moment of defiance, Ripa chose not to return to work for the rest of the week.
"I needed a couple of days to gather my thoughts. After 26 years with the company, I earned
the right."
Strahan, however, put his best professional foot forward and had only kind things to say
about his departure and his relationship with Ripa. According to The Washington Post, he
said in a statement at the time,
"My time with Live! With Kelly and Michael has been transformative, and my departure
will be bittersweet. Kelly has been an unbelievable partner, and I am so thankful to her and the
entire team."
The statement left many fans scratching their heads and wondering who was really to blame
for all of the animosity. Could Strahan have handled his departure better, or was Ripa
just bitter? One source told People that Ripa felt "hurt and betrayed" by Strahan, though
Strahan later defended himself, pointing out that his reassignment wasn't in his control
— it was ABC's decision.
Four years later, the story of that feud is still unfolding. Clearly, it was a heated
time — and then DeGeneres got involved, perhaps unintentionally. After inviting Strahan
onto her own show in October 2017, Ripa reportedly felt "betrayed." A source told Star,
"[Ripa] is livid [because DeGeneres'] cozying up with Michael was like telling the world
she had taken his side and was taunting Kelly. [...] What Ellen did to Kelly was just plain
mean. She should be ashamed of herself."
The report even said that DeGeneres reached out to Ripa to "beg" for forgiveness afterward.
However, a source close to DeGeneres reportedly told Gossip Cop that Star's story is a "joke"
and has no truth to it, so perhaps Ripa and DeGeneres aren't on such bad terms after all.
But that wouldn't be the first time that DeGeneres has offended another big name in the industry.
Though we may never know for sure what goes on behind the scenes with DeGeneres, there
are stories of her being at odds with everyone from Mark Ruffalo to Drew Barrymore.
It turns out that Ripa has been involved in sour situations with more than just DeGeneres
and Strahan. She's also reportedly been on less-than-friendly terms with another popular
television personality — her former co-host Regis Philbin.
While there were plenty of smiles and entertaining banter between the pair when the cameras were
rolling, apparently Philbin and Ripa had some drama behind the scenes. Things didn't improve
at all when Philbin decided to make his exit from the show and Ripa felt like she should
have been informed about what was going on — which kind of sounds like what she went
through with Strahan.
Not to mention Ripa's tiff with Bachelor host Chris Harrison when, according to The Washington
Post, she said the show "disgusts" her, as well as what OK! Magazine deemed a "nasty
battle" with host Megyn Kelly over another possible betrayal and time slot tension. There's
also the time Rosie O'Donnell called Ripa "mean" and accused her of "gay-bashing," as
Us Weekly reported.
Maybe Ripa just isn't into other TV hosts. You know, other than her longtime on-air buddy
Ryan Seacrest.
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