When Mark Consuelos shared a photo of a bikini-clad Kelly Ripa at the beach last month, he never could have predicted the backlash.
“Kelly’s gorgeous, but isn’t there a cutoff age where age-appropriateness comes into play? Just because you can rock a bikini, doesn’t mean you should,” wrote one Instagram user. Added another: “Not the sweet Kelly she was when she first started with Regis.”
During a joint Tuesday, April 24, appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Ripa and Consuelos, 46, revealed they were baffled by the reactions.
“It was bizarre,” quipped the Riverdale actor. “It’s like, what else are you supposed to wear to the beach?”
And Ripa agreed. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to wear to the beach,” said the Live With Kelly and Ryan cohost. “I mean, I don’t really know. I wasn’t in synagogue. I was at the beach. I mean, if you come up with an option, let me know.”
Consuelos first came to Ripa’s defense in March, shortly after the two-piece photo went viral. In a follow-up Instagram post, he noted that his wife’s “commitment to exercise, healthy diet is admirable and the benefits show.”
“Yes, she’s wearing a bikini at age 47,” wrote Consuelos at the time. “And will no doubt wear one for many years to come.” The protective husband then added: “To all the males that had something negative to say. Suggest you bring it up with me if ever I’m lucky enough to run into you.”
After nearly 22 years of marriage, the parents of Michael, 20, Lola, 16, and Joaquin, 15, are as solid as ever. On Tuesday night, Cohen introduced them as “a couple who will probably have sex” after the show!
