Kelly Ripa was back on Live! today exactly one week after co-host Michael Strahan announced he was leaving to join Good Morning America, where he’s been appearing on a recurring basis. 

She found out about the change at exactly the same time the public did – a huge shock! – and took the rest of the week off, starting a planned trip with her husband a few days early.

There’s been a lot of talk about diva behaviour and Ripa put a bit different face to the conversation with this comment, “What transpired over the course of a few days has been extraordinary in the sense that it started a much greater conversation about communication and consideration and, most importantly, respect in the workplace.”

She also made a point of saying that her issue had never been with Michael Straham, but more how things were handled.

“I am thrilled for Michael. This is a tremendous opportunity. I couldn’t be — and we couldn’t be — prouder of you and everything we’ve accomplished here.”

The whole video is an unexpectedly honest response to the whole drama. Give it a watch.