If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably noticed something different about the recent pictures of Kelly Ripa. Honestly, she’s kind of having a moment where the "perfect morning talk show host" mask is slipping, and fans are absolutely living for it.
We aren't just talking about the standard "golden hour" selfies anymore.
The Makeup Mishap That Went Viral
Earlier this year—literally the first week of January 2026—Kelly walked onto the set of Live with Kelly and Mark and basically admitted she’d forgotten how to do her own face. After a long holiday break, she suffered a total makeup malfunction that had the lighting guys working overtime.
It was refreshing. Usually, we see her looking like she was sculpted out of marble by a team of thirty. But in those recent pictures of Kelly Ripa from the broadcast, you can see the smudge, the slightly uneven contour, and the genuine "I just got back from vacation and I'm tired" energy.
She joked on air that she’s "out of practice." It’s a weird thing to see a woman who has been on camera for over three decades admit that the glam process still trips her up.
Why the Passport Photo is Her Best Work
One of the funniest things to come out of her recent media cycle is the revelation about her passport photo. Most of us look like we’ve been apprehended for a petty crime in our government IDs. Not Kelly.
She recently shared that she used a professional paparazzi photo for her official passport.
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"I look stunning. I show it with relentless pride," Ripa told the audience.
Her husband, Mark Consuelos, thinks it’s ridiculous because his hair is "flouncy" in his and the TSA agents usually expect a somber face. But Kelly? She’s out here handing over a high-fashion shot to border agents. If you look at the recent pictures of Kelly Ripa from her Instagram stories, you'll see she hasn't lost that "stunning" glow, even when she's traveling.
The "Naked Flying" Trend and Airplane Style
Speaking of travel, Kelly has been making headlines for her "naked flying" comments. No, she’s not actually streaking through JFK.
Basically, "naked flying" is a 2026 travel trend where people board a flight with zero luggage. Just a phone and a wallet. Kelly mentioned on the January 5th episode that she’s adopting this for her New Year's resolution.
But there’s a catch.
She also admitted that she refuses to wear a bra on airplanes. "What’s the point?" she asked. In the recent pictures of Kelly Ripa captured by fans at airports, you can tell she’s leaning hard into the "comfy-chic" look—think oversized cashmere and leggings, rather than the structured dresses we see her in at 9:00 AM.
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Fitness and the "Work in Progress" Mentality
You can't talk about Kelly Ripa without talking about those abs. Even in 2026, at age 55, she’s still hitting the gym with Anna Kaiser six days a week.
- Consistency: She never cancels a session.
- Cognitive Health: She’s memorized nearly 100 different dance routines.
- Nutrition: She follows an 80/20 rule (80% alkaline, 20% "whatever I want").
The recent pictures of Kelly Ripa posted by her trainer show a woman who is incredibly ripped, but Kelly insists she's a "work in progress." It’s a humble-brag, sure, but the muscle definition in her arms is enough to make anyone want to go pick up a dumbbell.
The New Studio Vibe in SoHo
There’s also a huge shift in the aesthetic of her show. After 37 years on the Upper West Side, Live moved to a brand-new, state-of-the-art studio in SoHo in April 2025.
The lighting in the new building is different. The recent pictures of Kelly Ripa on set have a more modern, cinematic feel. They’re filming on the 10th floor of the Disney headquarters now, and the natural light is doing wonders for her skin. Mark and Kelly have even joked about taking the subway to work since they moved to the Upper East Side right as the show moved downtown.
The Broadway Debut and Family Changes
The Ripa-Consuelos household is looking a lot different these days, too. Their youngest, Joaquin, made his Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman recently.
The recent pictures of Kelly Ripa at the opening night were pure "proud mom" energy. No "TV host" persona—just a woman in tears watching her kid. Meanwhile, their daughter Lola is still living in London, pressuring them to buy a "castle in the Cotswolds."
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Kelly’s been very open about her "forever home" in Manhattan, though. She says they’ll have to carry her out "feet first" before she moves to England.
What to Look for Next
If you’re tracking her style, keep an eye on her "no-bra" travel photos and the behind-the-scenes clips from her podcast, Let's Talk Off Camera. She’s getting more candid as she gets older.
She recently had a high-profile interview with attorney Alan Jackson, where she looked incredibly sharp in a tailored power suit. It’s a far cry from the "barely naked" New Year's Eve stories she was telling earlier this month.
The takeaway from the recent pictures of Kelly Ripa is pretty clear: she’s stopped caring about being "perfect" and is leaning into being real. Whether she's dealing with a makeup mishap or showing off a paparazzi-grade passport photo, she’s owning her age and her career with a level of confidence we should all probably try to emulate.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Style
- Focus on Strength over Cardio: Kelly’s trainer, Anna Kaiser, says they’ve toned down the cardio and upped the heavy lifting as Kelly hit her 50s. This helps maintain bone density and that "toned" look.
- Invest in Skincare, Not Just Makeup: If you have a "makeup malfunction" like Kelly did, a solid skincare base (high-alkaline foods and hydration) means you still look good under the lights.
- Be Your Own Fan: If you have a photo where you look "stunning," don't be afraid to use it for everything—even your passport. Confidence is the best filter.
To keep your own skin looking as resilient as Kelly's during the winter months, focus on a high-alkaline diet consisting of leafy greens, nuts, and seeds to combat the inflammation that causes puffiness in photos. If you're planning a trip soon, try the "naked flying" method—minus the baggage, not the clothes—to see if the lack of stress improves your travel glow.