In a candid moment during Live with Kelly and Mark, Kelly Ripa shared an emotional yet humorous revelation about her reaction when her son, Joaquin, decided he wanted to pursue a career in drama. As the proud parents of three, Kelly and Mark Consuelos had always been supportive of their children’s passions, but when Joaquin shared his career aspirations, Kelly admitted that she and Mark initially thought they had “failed as parents.”
Joaquin, 23, had expres sed his desire to attend drama school, which was met with a sense of disbelief by Kelly and Mark. “To get any job was, like, inconceivable to us,” Kelly said with a laugh during the Live broadcast. “We were just like, ‘You’re going to have to get a job.’”
Despite the initial concern, Joaquin’s bold move has certainly paid off. The young actor, who graduated from the University of Michigan’s prestigious School of Music, Theatre & Dance in May 2025, is now making waves on Broadway. Joaquin is starring as Young Biff in the highly anticipated revival of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, a role that has gained him critical acclaim.
Kelly and Mark couldn’t be prouder as they watched their son’s dreams come to fruition. “And then he books a Broadway show, and it was just, like, remarkable for us to watch,” Kelly added. The opening night of the revival was especially emotional for the couple, with Mark describing it as “pretty wild” to see Joaquin on stage for the first time in such a major production.
Joaquin is part of an all-star cast, sharing the stage with legendary actors such as Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. The iconic play, which explores the pressures of the American Dream, has been a huge success since its opening and has already garnered a great deal of attention in the theatre world.
The Consuelos family attended the opening night together, and despite their pride, they were given “strict parameters” by Joaquin. “Just be cool,” Joaquin told his parents, which Kelly and Mark found hilarious. Kelly recalled, “We were so cool! I thought we were pretty cool,” before joking about how she managed to steal a hug from her son while everyone else was allowed to offer their congratulations.
The entire night was a celebration of Joaquin’s success, with his parents gushing over his remarkable talent. “He did such a good job,” Mark said with emotion, recalling how he watched the entire performance with a smile on his face and a few tears in his eyes. Kelly, on the other hand, honored her son’s wishes and held off on attending the early preview, respecting his request to wait for opening night.
Joaquin’s journey has been a testament to his determination and talent. His decision to pursue a career in theatre, despite his parents’ initial reservations, has proven to be the right one. He has not only made his family proud but also earned a place in one of Broadway’s most revered productions.
As for Kelly and Mark, their admiration for their son’s accomplishments has only grown. “He’s amazing,” Mark gushed, while Kelly added, “I’m so proud of you, congratulations.” Joaquin’s achievement is a reminder to all parents that sometimes the path their children choose might not be the one they expect — but that doesn’t mean it won’t lead to extraordinary things.
In the end, Kelly and Mark may have initially questioned their parenting when Joaquin made his career decision, but they have learned just how wrong they were. The Consuelos family’s bond is stronger than ever, and the love and pride they feel for their son is palpable. Joaquin’s future in theatre is certainly one to watch, and it’s clear that this talented young man is just getting started.
