Kelly Ripa's Nightmare: Michael Strahan Reveals Dark 'Live' Secrets In Tell-All
Oct. 6 2016, Updated 11:52 a.m. ET
Kelly Ripa can't be pleased! Just before his sudden departure from Live, Michael Strahan spoke out about his infamous troubles with the ABC morning talk show. In his tell-all book, Wake Up Happy, the new Good Morning America host, 44, claimed he was a "nervous wreck" during his time opposite spitfire Ripa.
Advertising Week New York 2016 – Day 3
When Strahan began auditioning to be Ripa's cohost in 2011, he felt like he was a contestant on a reality show competition! "It was almost like being on The Bachelor and wondering who would get the rose because Kelly shared morning coffee with a lot of guys, including Seth Meyers, Josh Groban, Nick Lachey and Neil Patrick Harris," he revealed in the book, which was first published last fall before a paperback rerelease this week.
86th Annual Academy Awards – Arrivals
The retired football star said he wasn't even one of the finalists to share the screen with Ripa, who was cohost-less following Regis Philbin's retirement . "For a long time, I wasn't favorite or even thought to be a contender for the job," he wrote.
ABC’s “Live With Kelly And Michael” – 2013
Many advisors told him he never stood a chance in snagging the position, in part due to his race. "The network owned by Disney is never going to give this spot to a retired black football player," the naysayers allegedly said. "It's not going to happen."
Celebrity Sightings In New York City – July 18, 2013
After guest hosting a whopping 20 times, Strahan learned he got the job— but he initially thought he was about to hear bad news! "It felt as if I was in trouble and was being sent to the principal's office," he recalled.
Kelly Ripa Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
The anxiety didn't subside after he scored the coveted title of Ripa's cohost. "The whole first year of Live was a constant stream of new challenges and new fears," he said, adding that he was a "nervous wreck" while covering the Academy Awards. Soon-to-be GMA cohost Robin Roberts, not Ripa, eventually put his mind at ease.
ABC’s “Live With Kelly And Michael” – 2013
Despite his feud with Ripa, he thanked the star in his book's acknowledgements— along with her replacements, his GMA cohosts.
Kelly Ripa Home Collection For Macy’s Launch
Sadly, Strahan and Ripa, 46, are no longer on speaking terms, he recently admitted. "At one point I think we were friends," he recently told People. "I don't know what happened at the end."
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.