Kelly Ripa Reveals Mark Consuelos Was Mistaken for Wearing Eyeliner on All My Children Due to His Naturally Bold Lashes

Mark Consuelos has long been admired for his striking features, but one in particular has sparked confusion over the years—

his naturally dark and defined eyelashes. Kelly Ripa recently reminisced about how this unique trait often led to humorous misunderstandings during his time on All My Children.

On the February 20 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the couple took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, 

discussing their experiences on the popular soap opera where they first met. 

Ripa revealed that during filming, production would often come to an unexpected halt, all because of Consuelos’ eyelashes.

“When Mark was on All My Children, they would routinely stop, call cut, and then say, ‘Take off his eyeliner,’” Ripa recalled. “Then the makeup artist would walk up to Mark and go, ‘He’s not wearing any eyeliner—that’s just his eyelashes.’”

She went on to joke that her husband was simply born with a natural enhancement that many people use makeup to achieve. “He just has these incredible lashes that make it look like he’s wearing eyeliner,” she added.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ Love Story Began on All My Children

Ripa and Consuelos first crossed paths on the set of All My Children in 1995. At the time, Ripa had already been portraying Hayley Vaughan since 1990, and Consuelos joined the cast as Mateo Santos. Their on-screen chemistry soon translated into real-life romance, leading them to elope in Las Vegas on May 1, 1996. Over the years, they built a beautiful family together, welcoming three children: sons Michael, 27, and Joaquin, 21, and daughter Lola, 23.

During a 1999 interview with PEOPLE, Ripa humorously recalled the first time she met Consuelos. “I looked really gross,” she admitted, explaining how she rushed to freshen up before officially introducing herself. “I wanted him to see me looking like a normal person!”

Consuelos, on the other hand, was immediately captivated. During a recent episode of Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa on SiriusXM, he shared his first impressions of his now-wife. “I thought she was hilarious and adorable,” he said, adding that he was particularly taken by her “big curl rollers.”

One defining moment for Consuelos was when he visited Ripa’s apartment to rehearse lines before his re-audition for All My Children. He vividly remembered being struck by her beauty. “I was like, ‘Wow, she’s got really beautiful eyes. Her cheekbones are very specific, her hair is amazing, but her eyes and lips were—wow,’” he said, also describing her outfit at the time as something reminiscent of a “French vixen.”

Their Enduring Connection to All My Children

After leaving All My Children in 2002, the couple made a special return in 2010 for the show’s 40th anniversary special, much to the delight of longtime fans. Their love for the iconic soap opera didn’t stop there. In 2020, they announced their involvement in developing a primetime spinoff, Pine Valley, where they serve as executive producers.

Adding to the legacy of All My Children, it was confirmed in September 2024 that Lifetime is working on a holiday movie set in the show’s fictional town of Pine Valley. The upcoming film promises to bring nostalgia to longtime viewers while introducing new audiences to the charm of the beloved soap opera’s world.

Mark Consuelos’ Natural Charm Continues to Shine

Even years after All My Children, Mark Consuelos’ naturally bold eyelashes continue to be a conversation starter. Whether on-screen or off, his striking features—once mistaken for eyeliner—remain one of the many qualities that make him stand out. And with Kelly Ripa by his side to share these humorous anecdotes, fans get an entertaining glimpse into the couple’s lighthearted and enduring relationship.

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