More: You got involved with this event for a very personal reason—you lost a dear friend to ovarian cancer. 

Kelly Ripa: Yes, I lost a very dear childhood friend to the disease. It has been 10 years since she passed. She was younger than I am now. Cancer robbed her of the opportunity to have children and get married. I feel that events are a great way to give back. If only there was a test she could have taken, she might have been here today.

More: Since you host this event, what do you hope to accomplish in this role?

KR: Raise a lot of money and save a lot of lives.

More: How are you about going to the doctor?


KR: I am pro-doctor and for early intervention. I’ll even go to the doctor when nothing is wrong, just to make sure there is still nothing wrong with me.

More: What do you teach your daughter Lola about her own body and ovarian cancer? 


KR: I tell her now, know your body. But whenever I try to talk to her about anything like that, or about taking a look at her homework, she responds by saying, “I have a headache.” Turns out nothing is wrong. She just doesn’t want to talk about it—or to do her chores or homework.

More: Today is all about shopping. What’s your retail weakness, and the one item your husband says you have too much of? 

KR: Shoes, handbags and necklaces. Necklaces are by far my favorite, and whenever I buy a new one Mark [actor Mark Consuelos] says, “Oh, look, another necklace.” He says I am a magpie and am attracted to shiny things.

More: Regis is leaving. Have you prepared yourself for his last day? 

KR: Oh God, no! I can’t even think about it. It brings me to tears just thinking about it.

More: Why?


KR: We have had so much fun together. We are doing flashbacks with trivia about Regis and it is so funny to see the ridiculous things we did together. I even saw myself on the show as a guest. I look ridiculous, and he looks frozen in time. My hair color has been every shade, and I have been every dress size.

More: Did you have any idea he wanted to leave or was this a big surprise?


KR: He had talked about it over the yearsm but I never paid attention. He was the boy who cried retirement. He is not retiring, he is just taking a break from the daily grind and then finding something he loves and wants to do.


More: There are published reports your husband may be replacing him?


KR: I don’t think so. I love that rumor because no one makes me happier than Mark and no one, in my eyes, is more gorgeous. But I think it is very hard to be married to someone you work with. What would I say at the dinner table—“How was your day?” While I love Regis and Joy teaming up, for me it would be too hard to maintain that every day.

More: Whom would you like to see replace Regis? 


KR: It is too soon to say. I have my secret hopefuls.

More: So as it stands, the show will be called “Blank & Kelly”?


KR: I don’t know if you know this, but I was an accident. Linda Dano was supposed to host one day and she got sick. Since I was working on All My Children down the street they called me and said, “Can you come over?” I filled in for a fill-in. That is how I got started. That is why I don’t anticipate anyone, because I was an accident. It is a chemistry thing, and about connecting.

More: Are you worried you and your new co-host won’t be able to create the same magic you and Regis have?


KR: I don’t think they would hire someone who wouldn’t have it. Even the fill-in hosts have always been great. I don’t anticipate being disappointed.

More: You not only lose your TV buddy, but All My Children is saying farewell, too?


KR: Oh, please! This year has been one big disappointment after another.

More: Did you have any inkling that was coming?


KR: No. I got a call one hour before the announcement and cried like a baby from there. I couldn’t believe it. I am still crying.