Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos went full-on “high school sweethearts” this Halloween, taking inspiration from the hottest couple of the year. The “Live” co-hosts transformed into Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, recreating the duo’s memorable appearance at this year’s US Open for the show’s annual “Only Halloween in the Building” special, airing on ABC this Thursday.
Ripa, 54, embraced her inner pop star by donning a red-and-white checkered dress reminiscent of the Reformation Sora Linen Dress ($248) that Swift famously wore to the tennis tournament on September 8.
She completed the look with Swift-inspired accessories: a pair of oval-shaped black sunglasses and chic brown sandals, perfectly capturing the laid-back yet trendy style Swift is known for.
Consuelos didn’t disappoint either. He took on the role of NFL superstar Travis Kelce, channeling the athlete’s casual, preppy style from the outing. Consuelos sported a polo shirt, cardigan, and beige shorts, finishing off the look with a Gucci bucket hat that gave a nod to Kelce’s designer flair.
To add a bit of humor to his costume, the “Riverdale” alum wore a thick fake mustache, making his portrayal of Kelce even more memorable.
In an interview with USA Today, which was published on Monday, the TV hosts opened up about their costume preparation process and the challenge of recreating Kelce’s high-end wardrobe. “We don’t typically keep real Gucci there,” Ripa joked, referring to the “Live” costume closet.
It turns out they had to get creative with the styling, adding their own twist to bring Kelce’s signature look to life.
Consuelos also shared that he hasn’t yet met the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, but he had nothing but positive things to say. “He seems like a great guy and he’s funny,” Consuelos noted. He added with a laugh, “Who knows? He may see it and [be like], ‘Who’s that short guy trying to come off as me?'”
Ripa admitted that initially, she had no idea that her costume was supposed to be Swift. “I didn’t know what that was, by the way,” she said, laughing during a video interview shared on X (formerly Twitter). “I didn’t know what he was, and I didn’t know what I was.”
Even when the wardrobe team fitted her with a blonde wig, she confessed that she was still in the dark. It wasn’t until she saw a viral clip of Swift and Kelce at the US Open men’s final that it all started to click.
The married co-hosts are no strangers to getting into character for Halloween. In addition to their US Open-inspired outfits, they have prepared several more costumes for Thursday’s special episode. This isn’t the first time they’ve paid tribute to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce either.
Last year, they dressed up as the duo in homage to Swift’s first appearance at one of Kelce’s football games. Consuelos donned Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs uniform, while Ripa sported a red-and-white jacket similar to the one Swift wore, adding her own twist of glam.
Halloween is always a fun event on “Live,” with Ripa and Consuelos going all out to entertain their audience and keep things lighthearted.
This year, their playful take on Swift and Kelce’s relationship—complete with spot-on outfits and plenty of inside jokes—shows just how much they enjoy keeping up with pop culture trends while bringing a smile to viewers’ faces.
The chemistry and camaraderie between Ripa and Consuelos make their Halloween episodes a highlight each year, and their tribute to Swift and Kelce’s whirlwind romance is sure to delight fans of both the show and the superstar couple.
