Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, graduation may not follow tradition this year. But that’s not stopping talk-show host Kelly Ripa from celebrating her son, Michael, as he finishes college.
Michael Joseph Consuelos, 22, was wrapping up his undergraduate education Friday at New York University, taking his last exam when Ripa took to Instagram to post an “#fbf” or “flash back Friday” image, according to the caption she wrote.
“2016 fours years passed in the blink of an eye and today you take your final final exam in college. Congratulations Michael! You’re a virtual graduate. Literally! #classof2020 #NYU 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜,” Ripa captioned the throwback picture from Michael’s high school graduation.
New York University will hold its commencement exercises online on Wednesday, according to the university’s website. The ceremony will be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook with the option for live commenting.
The class of 2020’s in-person commencement has been postponed and will be rescheduled.
Michael is one of three children Ripa has with husband Mark Consuelos. The couple has another son, Joaquin Antonio, who is 17, and a daughter, Lola who is 18.
Their dad, “Riverdale” actor Mark Consuelos, commented on the post with two flexing muscle emojis.
During Friday’s episode of “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Ripa opened up about her son missing out on his graduation, like so many other students across the country.
“He’s one of these very uniquely special kids, he’s just been kind his entire life and he’s such a good person, a hard worker, that I wanted some big event celebrating him,” People quoted her as saying on the show. “And he, in typical Michael fashion, said, ‘Well, it’s not a big deal. As long as I still get my degree, it’s fine.’ “
Ripa said she thinks many students facing the same situation are “devastated” and she thinks that’s a fair reaction. “They worked so hard and they’re not getting to have their big day. But he truly doesn’t seem bothered at all,” she said.
