Kelly Ripa is known for her quick wit, infectious energy, and refreshingly candid personality. She’s made a career out of talking — whether it’s co-hosting a morning talk show or casually chatting on a podcast. But what truly sets her apart is how fearlessly she brings her personal life into the public conversation, especially when it comes to her relationship with her husband of 29 years, Mark Consuelos.
In a recent episode of the popular Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, hosted by Amanda Hirsch, Ripa opened up about one of the most universal (and often awkward) discussions that couples navigate: the timing of intimacy. Morning sex versus nighttime sex. It’s a classic debate — one that plays out silently in bedrooms around the world. But Ripa, being Ripa, didn’t hesitate to shine a light on it, complete with self-deprecating humor, real talk, and a surprising take on why she’s firmly in the “no morning sex” camp.
And according to her, the idea of morning intimacy? Absolutely “disgusting.”
“Men are morning people. He hasn’t learned, he’ll never learn,” Ripa said, referring to Consuelos, her partner both at home and now on-air. “He wants to kiss. And I have a retainer in. And he’s got his nasal strips on. It’s like we are the most repulsive, disgusting… I’m already pre-disgusted for tomorrow morning.”
It’s the kind of hilarious visual that only Ripa could paint — the romantic notion of early morning passion completely shattered by dental gear and anti-snoring aids. Yet beneath the humor lies a real insight into the everyday negotiations that keep a marriage running. Because for all the talk about sparks and chemistry, long-term relationships are built on compromise, communication, and the ability to laugh through the not-so-sexy moments.
Ripa revealed that while her husband has traditionally favored morning intimacy, she herself has always leaned toward nighttime. “There needs to be a yin and a yang here. It can’t always be your way,” she said, noting that she often felt the balance was tilted in his favor.
Her solution? Establish boundaries — and renegotiate them when life circumstances change. After she and Consuelos began co-hosting Live with Kelly and Mark, the early-morning wake-up calls naturally began interfering with his AM preferences. And finally, according to Ripa, the timing has worked in her favor. “It’s so early, and it’s like a miracle. It’s like a miracle has occurred,” she joked, suggesting the exhausting schedule has curbed her husband’s morning enthusiasm.
But Ripa didn’t stop at the when of sex; she also offered her take on the why. And that’s where things got a little more reflective — and surprisingly practical.
She shared advice she once received from a TV producer: treat sex like exercise. “The more you do it, the more you do it,” she said. “You just have to do it, and then you’re like, ‘Oh, I remember why I like this.’”
It’s a sentiment that many long-term couples can relate to. As the years go by and life gets busier — kids, jobs, stress, sleep schedules — intimacy can often fall lower on the priority list. But that doesn’t mean it should be abandoned. Instead, as Ripa suggests, it can be reframed. Less about spontaneity and lust, and more about connection and routine — like a daily jog for your relationship.
This concept, often referred to as “maintenance sex,” has been discussed by relationship experts and therapists for years. The idea is simple: having sex regularly, even when you’re not in the mood or swept up in the heat of the moment, can actually improve your desire and help sustain a strong emotional bond.
Ripa’s take echoes this. Rather than waiting for the mythical perfect moment — candlelight, no kids in the house, stress-free day — she believes in showing up anyway. And when you do, you’re reminded why it mattered in the first place.
Science backs her up. Studies have found that couples who have sex at least once a week are generally happier than those who don’t. That regular intimacy acts like emotional glue — releasing endorphins, reducing stress, and reinforcing trust and affection.
Allison Moon, author of Getting It: A Guide to Hot Healthy Hookups and Shame-Free Sex, explained it this way in an earlier interview: “It’s an opportunity for people to engage in fun, affirming sexual touch even if it doesn’t come from the deep rutting urge it came from when the relationship was new.” In other words, it’s not about replicating the passion of year one — it’s about nurturing the intimacy of year ten, twenty, or in Ripa and Consuelos’ case, almost thirty.
That shift — from intense passion to steady connection — is something many couples experience but rarely talk about publicly. Ripa’s openness is refreshing in that regard. She’s not pretending that her marriage is some fairy tale. She’s not selling a story of unrelenting sexual chemistry. Instead, she’s giving voice to what millions of people know to be true: intimacy in long-term relationships evolves. And that’s okay.
In fact, it’s more than okay — it’s real. And in the world of celebrity culture, where relationships often seem fleeting and curated for Instagram, Ripa and Consuelos’ honesty stands out.
Their dynamic also shows that even the happiest couples have differences. Mark likes mornings. Kelly prefers nights. And rather than fighting over who’s “right,” they’re working it out. The willingness to compromise, to negotiate, to laugh about it — that’s the real glue.
What makes their story particularly resonant is how universal it is. Sure, not everyone has a national talk show or a decades-long marriage under the spotlight, but the core issues — mismatched libidos, competing schedules, differing preferences — are common across all relationships. And Ripa’s willingness to say the quiet part out loud gives people permission to be honest about their own relationships, too.
It also sends a message: it’s okay if things aren’t always passionate or perfect. What matters is the effort you put into staying connected, even when your retainer is in and your partner’s wearing nasal strips.
And that’s something worth celebrating.
There’s also a broader lesson here about the importance of keeping conversations about sex — especially in long-term relationships — open and judgment-free. Too often, people feel pressure to maintain a fantasy of constant passion. But the reality is that intimacy changes with time, and the only way to stay in sync is to talk about it.
Ripa and Consuelos might be joking about their different rhythms, but the fact that they can talk about them openly — and even turn them into podcast content — is a sign of a healthy, evolving partnership. They’re not trying to meet some unrealistic ideal; they’re trying to meet each other where they are. That takes emotional intelligence, humor, and a lot of love.
And it’s not all about the bedroom. As any couple will tell you, intimacy spills over into the rest of your life. When you feel seen, heard, and respected in one area, it strengthens the bond across the board. That’s likely one reason why Ripa and Consuelos seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company, even after all these years — on screen and off.
By turning a private marital squabble into a relatable, laugh-out-loud story, Ripa has once again reminded the world why she remains such a beloved public figure. She’s not afraid to get real. And in a world that’s often obsessed with filters and fantasies, that kind of honesty is not only rare — it’s necessary.
So whether you’re someone who prefers your romance in the early hours or waits until the stars come out, the takeaway from Ripa’s candid reflections is simple: intimacy isn’t about timing. It’s about tuning in to each other, over and over again. Sometimes that means adjusting your expectations. Sometimes it means advocating for your needs. And sometimes, it just means laughing your way through the awkward moments — retainer and all.
And if Kelly Ripa can do that while juggling a talk show, a family, and almost three decades of marriage? There’s hope for all of us.
