Kelly Ripa Says ‘Live!’ Staff Was Blindsided by Michael Strahan’s Exit, Too

Kelly Ripa says that her “Live!” colleagues were concerned about their own future after being blindsided by news of Michael Strahan‘s departure from the show.

“In that moment there were people looking at me, saying, ‘Tell us this is going to be okay. Are we going to be okay?'” Ripa told People magazine.

Ripa discussed her thoughts on her co-host’s sudden departure from “Live!” in the latest issue of People magazine, which hits newsstands on Friday – the same day as Strahan’s final episode.

Also Read: How ABC Will Nab a New Co-Host for Kelly Ripa After Michael Strahan Leaves

“When you’re dealing with big business, it’s easy to forget that you’re dealing with people and that people have feelings. It’s easy to just look at it like a business unit. Sometimes stability and dependability can be misinterpreted as passive. Like, ‘Oh, we don’t have to worry about her, she’s fine. She’s fine,'” Ripa said. “But I need reassurances that we’re all going to be fine.”

The magazine promised Wednesday that the ful interview will reveal Ripa’s “true feelings” about Strahan’s decision to bolt “Live!” for “Good Morning America.”

Also Read: 'Live!' Ratings Rise 20 Percent the Week of Kelly Ripa's Return

“We’re excited for Michael. He wanted that job, and it’s great for him. I think it’s a perfect match, I really do,” Ripa told the magazine. “However, what nobody considered is there’s a whole other group of people that it really impacts, because we now have to find another great person.”

The show will go on and Ripa will sit alongside a variety of guest hosts this summer, many of whom will be undergoing what amounts to an audition for a permanent gig.

The guest hosts for next week have already been announced: Jimmy Kimmel, “Empire’s” Jussie Smollet, Cedric the Entertainer, “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir and “Hawaii Five-O’s” Daniel Dae Kim.

Related stories from TheWrap:

How ABC Will Nab a New Co-Host for Kelly Ripa After Michael Strahan Leaves

'Live!' Ratings Rise 20 Percent the Week of Kelly Ripa's Return

Jimmy Kimmel Named First Guest Co-Host of 'Live!' With Kelly Ripa