Kelly Ripa Responds To Backlash Over Her Comments On Her Son's 'Extreme Poverty'
Talking About Her Son
While she was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Live! With Kelly And Ryan host Kelly Ripa opened up about her 22-year-old son Michael, who is living on his own with friends in Bushwick.
"You know, he loves the freedom, but he hates paying his own rent and he is chronically poor. I don’t think he ever really experienced extremely poverty before, like now."
She continued, explaining that her parents always sent their grandkids $20 for Halloween, and now that money means a lot more to Michael nowadays.
"For years, my kids sort of ignored the $20. But now that [Michael's] living on his own, he's called, like, three times. 'Has the Halloween envelope arrived?' He's experiencing being an adult."
Backlash Followed
People on Twitter were annoyed by her comments, pointing out that it was the height of privilege to assume that struggling a bit while starting out and not living with your mega-rich parents was "extreme poverty." Considering he has the safety net of millionaire parents, this isn't exactly an impoverished existence. There is a big difference between being broke and being poor.
Responding To Critics
Ripa responded to critics on Instagram, saying:
"Michael goes to college and is a senior and works full time. He is in his first non parent subsidized apt with roommates. I’m used to getting a lot of slack because people love to have fake outrage over something they didn’t see. They only read a headline and wag their tired fingers."
How They Raised Their Kids
She continued, explaining that she and her husband, actor Mark Consuelos didn't grow up wealthy and that they were dedicated to raising their children with strong work ethics.
"I didn’t grow up privileged and neither did @instasuelos. We work and we expect our kids to as well. And the fact that a pack of fools want to b---- about that, I say let em."
