Michael Strahan’s Subtle Shade on Kelly Ripa: ‘I Didn’t Know I Was Supposed to be a Sidekick’
Michael Strahan’s latest comments about his former Live with Kelly and Michael gig (and the controversial departure that ensued) is raising some eyebrows.
The Good Morning America host revealed in a New York Times interview that he has felt a sense of selfishness from co-hosts while working in television, seemingly alluding to his alleged feud with Kelly Ripa.
“I’ve had jobs where I got there and felt like: ‘Wow, I didn’t know I was supposed to be a sidekick,’” he said. “I thought I was coming here to be a partner.”
When asked if he was specifically referring to Kelly, he cryptically replied, “It was an experience!”
For those who forgot, in April 2016, Michael announced he was leaving Live and reportedly told Kelly just minutes before going public with the announcement.
“They could not stand each other, and whenever they communicated off-camera, it was always through their reps,” a source close to Kelly told Page Six at the time.
That time was super traumatic for Kelly, and she took a few days off from taping the show after the news that Michael was leaving for fellow ABC program GMA.
Thankfully, Ryan Seacrest came and saved the show. Now, Live with Kelly and Ryan is a hit.
Still, “It could have been handled better,” Michael told the New York Times about the situation. “I didn’t wake up and say, ‘I want a job at ‘GMA.’ I was asked to do it by the people who run the network. It was really not a choice. It was a request. But it was treated as if I was the guy who walked in and said, ‘I’m leaving.’”
He continued, “That part was totally misconstrued, mishandled in every way. People who should have handled it better have all apologized, but a lot of the damage had already been done. For me, it was like: Move on. Success is the best thing. Just keep on moving.”
Well… at least they’re both past that! But still, was it worth digging it back up again, Michael? To the New York Times of all places?!