Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos made a swift return to New York City to kick off a fresh week of LIVE with Kelly and Mark, just in time for their highly anticipated Oscars special.
However, their return to the show came with a tinge of bittersweetness, as it meant they had to leave behind a family celebration
—one that marked a significant milestone for their youngest son, Joaquin.
Joaquin Consuelos, the couple’s youngest child, officially turned 22 on Monday, February 24.
Though Kelly and Mark had to be back in New York before the actual day, they made sure to spend quality time with him over the weekend,
attending two major events that highlighted his passions for both theater and wrestling.
A Special Birthday Shoutout on LIVE
Kicking off Monday’s episode of LIVE, Kelly took a moment to acknowledge their son’s special day before diving into the show.
“Hey, wait a minute,” she said with excitement. “Before we start the show, we wanna say a very happy 22nd birthday to our newborn baby Joaquin Consuelos.”
Though she referred to Joaquin as her “newborn,” the proud mom openly admitted she was in denial about how fast time had flown. Mark, on the other hand, took a more straightforward approach, simply noting, “He’s all grown up.”
A Weekend of Performances and Competition in Michigan
To celebrate Joaquin’s milestone, Kelly and Mark traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where their son is a senior at the University of Michigan. The weekend was packed with meaningful moments, as Joaquin took part in a university production of A Few Good Men before being honored at his varsity wrestling team’s senior night.
Joaquin’s older siblings, Michael, 27, and Lola, 23, also made the trip to Michigan to join the family celebration. It was a proud moment for the Consuelos family, witnessing Joaquin balance both his academic and extracurricular commitments so seamlessly.
Kelly and Mark were in awe of their son’s theatrical performance, calling the production “extraordinary.” Mark praised the entire cast, noting, “They did such a good job.” But the evening didn’t end there—the proud parents quickly transitioned from a night of drama to a night of wrestling.
From Theater to the Wrestling Mat—A Quick Costume Change
Kelly hilariously recounted her own “quick change” between the two events, describing how she swapped her theater attire for her wrestling mom outfit right in the car.
“It felt like two completely different nights,” she joked. “I did a quick change in my car, from my theater clothes to my wrestling mom clothes.”
The night continued with Joaquin’s wrestling senior ceremony, where he and his teammates were honored with framed singlets as they posed for photos on the mat. Kelly and Mark beamed with pride as they watched Joaquin embrace this important moment in his college athletic career.
A Peek into Joaquin’s College Life—And His Messy Car
While Kelly and Mark were impressed with Joaquin’s ability to juggle school, theater, and sports, they couldn’t help but call out one glaring issue—his messy car.
After the event, Joaquin drove his parents around, leading Kelly to realize just how chaotic his vehicle had become.
“This is where the dysfunction happens,” she quipped. “I got in the car, and I was like, ‘Would you like us to clean out your car?’ I was concerned for my own personal health and hygiene.”
Mark chimed in with a detailed inventory of the mess, listing “sharp objects, pizza boxes, fast food containers, garbage bags, a pillowcase,” while Kelly humorously reflected that it was “the mind of a person carrying a heavy load.”
The funniest discovery? A mop. Kelly questioned its presence, asking, “A mop? Does this ever get used?”—which drew laughter from the studio audience when she retold the story on LIVE.
Proud Parents, Close-Knit Family
Despite their jokes about Joaquin’s messy car, Kelly and Mark couldn’t be prouder of their youngest child. Throughout the years, they have spoken about the importance of family, and their kids have always remained a central part of their lives.
Michael, their eldest, now lives in Brooklyn and has pursued a career as a writer, actor, and producer. Lola, their daughter, divides her time between New York and London, working as a singer-songwriter and music producer. With Joaquin still in college, the couple savors every moment they get to spend together as a family.
The weekend in Michigan was not just a celebration of Joaquin’s birthday—it was a testament to the bond the Consuelos family shares. From theater to sports to everyday laughs, Kelly and Mark’s love and pride for their children shine through.
As they returned to New York to continue their work on LIVE, one thing was clear: no matter where life takes them, family always comes first.
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