Lara Spencer has always been the kind of TV personality who feels like your high-energy, slightly-too-organized best friend. You know the one—she’s scoured three flea markets before you’ve even had your coffee. But lately, the buzz around her has hit a fever pitch. If you’ve been scrolling through your feed and seeing her in everything from high-performance spandex to high-stakes bidding wars, there’s a reason for that.
Basically, Lara is having a massive "second act" moment right now.
The Winter Olympics and the Spandex "Incident"
If there is one thing we learned about Lara Spencer this month, it's that the woman can rock a unitard. As we gear up for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games this February, Lara has been on the ground—or rather, on the ice—at Lake Placid.
She wasn't just there to hold a microphone. Along with ABC News correspondent James Longman, Lara suited up in a full-body, skin-tight blue spandex bodysuit to try out some of the sports she'll be covering. Honestly, at 56, her athletic background as an All-American diver at Penn State really shows. She posted the photos to Instagram with a caption that was typical Lara: "Some went well. Some…not so much."
Fans went wild, but it wasn't just about the outfit. It was a signal that she’s taking a lead role in ABC’s Olympic coverage, bringing that "GMA" energy to the freezing slopes of Italy very soon.
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That Thrifting Show: The Flea Market Flip Successor
For everyone who spent years mourning the end of Flea Market Flip, the wait is finally over. Lara didn't just walk away from the world of vintage treasures; she was just busy building something bigger.
The latest news is the launch of That Thrifting Show with Lara Spencer. It’s a 12-episode reality competition series that just started hitting Freeform and Hulu. Here’s the deal: she takes two designer duos, gives them identical rooms, and forces them to decorate using only vintage and thrifted finds.
It’s basically Flea Market Flip on steroids, with a heavy focus on sustainable design. She’s the host and the executive producer through her company, DuffKat Media. It’s a smart move—thrifting is huge with Gen Z right now, and Lara is the undisputed queen of the "yard sale find."
Why She’s Still a "Contributor" (And Why That Matters)
There was a lot of chatter back in late 2025 when Lara "re-upped" her contract with ABC News. People were confused. Is she leaving? Is she staying?
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Here’s the reality: Lara signed a multi-year deal to remain as a contributor rather than a full-time, five-day-a-week anchor. This wasn't a demotion. It was a lifestyle choice. By stepping back from the daily grind of the morning news desk, she’s been able to:
- Executive produce her own shows.
- Travel the world (she recently did a "bucket list" safari in South Africa with her husband, Rick McVey, and her kids, Duff and Kat).
- Focus on her health after some pretty intense surgeries.
The Health Battle Nobody Saw Coming
You see her smiling on camera, but Lara has actually been through the ringer physically. Most people remember her hip replacement at age 47 (caused by hip dysplasia), but more recently, she had to undergo double foot surgeries.
She’s been very open about the fact that she "shattered toes and joints" during a college diving accident decades ago. For years, she just taped them up and wore heels on TV while in constant pain. This past year, she finally had the plates removed and the ligaments fixed by Dr. Marty O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery. If you see her wearing "cute" sneakers or boots on air lately, that’s why. She’s finally prioritizing being able to walk—and play tennis—without agony.
Living the Greenwich Life
When she isn't in the new ABC studios in New York (the whole team just moved, by the way), she’s at her home in Greenwich, Connecticut. It’s the kind of house you’d expect from a New York Times bestselling author of I Brake for Yard Sales—lots of vintage charm, a putting green, and her three rescue dogs.
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She’s also been navigating the "empty nest" life. Her daughter, Kat, is in the thick of her college years, and her son, Duff, graduated recently. Lara has been sharing those "pinch-me" mom moments on social media, looking remarkably like a triplet next to her daughter.
What to Watch for Next
If you're a fan of Lara's style and energy, the next few months are going to be busy. Keep an eye on these specific moves:
- The Olympics: Watch her coverage of the 2026 Winter Games starting in February. Expect her to be out in the elements, not just in a studio.
- Hulu/Freeform: Check out That Thrifting Show. If you like interior design but hate the "cookie-cutter" look of modern furniture, this is your new binge-watch.
- GMA Milestone: She’s been a staple through the show’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, so expect more "trip down memory lane" segments featuring her and the legendary Diane Sawyer or Joan Lunden.
Lara Spencer has basically figured out the secret to longevity in TV: don't just report the news, become a brand that people actually want to hang out with.
To stay updated on Lara's latest projects, you should follow her verified Instagram account, as she often shares "behind the scenes" looks at her filming schedule and her latest vintage finds before they ever hit the screen.