Yahoo Lifestyle Susan Lucci Dishes on Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos on 'All My Children'
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Fans know married duo Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa first met while starring on the soap opera All My Children. While the two are now open about the early days of their decades-long romance, one of their former co-stars just gave even more insight into their immediate chemistry.
On January 14, All My Children fans got to hear Susan Lucci (who portrayed Erica Kane throughout the show's 41-year run), Kelly (who played Hayley Vaughan) and other key members of the series came together to reminisce about the soap for the All My Children at 55 conversation at 92NY in New York City. When host Andy Cohen asked about some of Susan's favorite memories from AMC, she had to interject about being on set when Mark auditioned to be Hayley's love interest, Mateo Santos. As she shared with the audience, seeing the duo together back in 1995 was electric — and she could feel their chemistry from the very beginning.
"I just have to say something about Mark and Kelly," she stated in front of the Live With Kelly and Mark star, per People. "I was happy to be in the hair and makeup room watching their audition scenes, and we were all like, 'Oh, get a room!' The chemistry between you two was coming right through the screen."
But that's not all that came out about Kelly and Mark's undeniable on-and-off screen infatuation with one another on All My Children.
When casting director Judy Blye Wilson spoke about the couple's humble beginnings, she shared Mark wasn't exactly someone network executives were interested in. Turns out, it was Kelly who helped make the final decision — and it was one that would affect the rest of her life.
They couldn’t make a decision about Mark, and I was so behind him," Judy added. "I brought Kelly into my office, and I showed her a black and white picture of him and his headshot, and she really liked him, really... I don't know why they were dragging their heels on it, but they actually had him play the role. So, he started playing the role, and I had to continue to search for another person... Finally, I begged the producer, and she relinquished, and it turned out to be the best, one of the best parts I ever cast."
As AMC viewers remember, Hayley and Mateo's relationship played out on television from 1995 until Kelly and Mark exited the show in 2002. What's more, Kelly and Mark eloping in 1996 would be folded into their characters' storylines, as Hayley and Mateo later got married in 2000.
Clearly, Judy was right about hiring Mark, because he and Kelly have built a beautiful life together. Along with hosting Live With Kelly and Mark, the couple share three children together: sons Michael and Joaquin, and daughter Lola.
Well, sometimes life does imitate art.
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