Ryan Seacrest holds back tears as his niece shares a message for his final day live and Kelly Ripa says she ‘made my speech’
RYAN Seacrest held back tears on his last day live as he watched niece Flora’s homemade video for him.
It was Ryan’s last day hosting Live with Kelly and Ryan on Friday, and the episode was all about sending him off with a bang.
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At the beginning of the show, Kelly pointed out to the audience that Ryan’s family had come to see him on his last day.
“I looked at my family and I noticed… little Flora! She goes to school,” he asked his family, not seeing his niece anywhere.
“It was hard to pull it off, but I did it! I made it and Flora will be watching from home,” Ryan’s sister Meredith Seacrest Leach said from her seat in the crowd.
Kelly said, “I think she sent a video, is that correct?”
A clip featuring tiny Flora recording a special video for Ryan congratulating him on his final day on the show.
In a heartwarming video, Flora told “Uncle Ry-Ry” that she loves him and is proud of him.
The audience let out a collective “aww” as the clip ended and Ryan looked touched.
“That’s adorable,” he said, bursting into tears.
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“Thanks Flora.”
Kelly quipped, “I mean, great. Flora gave my speech.”
Ryan suggested, “You can change the ‘uncle’ part.”
GIVE HIM KELL
Meanwhile, Kelly mocked her co-host’s private love life on live television.
Ryan has been dating model Aubrey Paige, 25, since 2021.
On April 14, Ryan, 48, celebrated his last live show.
Kelly gave a speech that had them both crying one minute and laughing the next.
She told him that they had the right to troll him on all social media platforms and that he could come back and visit him anytime.
The hostess ended her speech with a slight jab at his love life.
“And we’ll all keep our same mailing addresses if there’s ever a wedding invitation,” she said.
Kelly looked at the audience and then looked at Ryan with hopeful eyes.
He just giggled and she added, “Just in case.”
The 52-year-old then ended her speech by saying that Ryan will always be family and that she will “see him again soon”.
RYAN’S GIRL
Aubrey was in the audience when Kelly made the joke, but her reaction wasn’t caught on camera.
Ryan and the model have been together for almost two years.
They tend to keep their relationship private and rarely show their relationship on social media.
Aubrey is a model living in New York and has been in a relationship with the live host since 2021.
However, the couple has been spotted on many beach trips and walks around town.
Prior to her modeling career, Aubrey earned an associate’s degree in fashion marketing from Austin Community College, according to Heavy.
Despite a public career and relationship, little information is available about Aubrey as she tends to keep her private life out of the spotlight.
Since Ryan is moving to Los Angeles, she will most likely move with him.
SEACREST OUT!
On February 16, Ryan announced that Live! after six years.
The 48-year-old presenter will be replaced by Kelly’s husband Mark Consuelos, who has deputized for him in the past.
The popular ABC show will be renamed Live with Kelly and Mark, Deadline reported.
Ryan will leave Live and return to Los Angeles from New York to film American Idol Season 21.
The daytime TV star said he will miss his “work wife” Kelly – who has hosted the show since 2001.
Ryan added that he’s “excited to pass the baton to Kelly’s “real-life husband” Mark, and joked that the actor should “feel free to remodel my dressing room.”
He shared a montage of photos with Kelly, 52, on Instagram while announcing his departure.
Ryan wrote in the long caption, “I will miss my work wife and all the laughs we share.
“When I signed on to host Live in 2017, it was scheduled to be a three-year presenter, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my tenure and made the decision last year to stay for one final season.
“I was thankful that I could have a cup of coffee with our viewers every day, one of the best parts of the performance.”
He continued, “I look forward to being a restaurateur again in the future, and Kelly I promise to share my food photos, chicken eggs and olive oil with you forever.”
“And congratulations to my brother Mark, you’re welcome to redecorate my dressing room!”
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