By Alex Vena
Published April 7, 2026, 12:03 p.m. ET
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos took a moment to shout out Live with Kelly and Mark‘s announcer, Deja Vu, who has been navigating Bell’s Palsy.
On Tuesday, Ripa asked Deja to fill fans who have not been keeping up with her on social media in on her medical condition. Deja, who was initially wearing a mask, shared that she “was hit with a bout of Bell’s Palsy” while she the Live team were out in Los Angeles for their Oscars coverage and After the Oscars Show.
“So it’s facial paralysis, and it kind of droops to the side a little,” she explained, as she proceeded to remove her mask. “It’s not drooping as much now, but I’m still speaking to the side. So the right side of my face is kind of paralyzed.”
Per the Cleveland Clinic, Bell’s Palsy typically only affects one side of the face, and is caused by “inflammation and swelling of your seventh cranial nerve.” With time, most cases can go away.
Deja, a beloved member of the Live team who has previously stepped in as guest co-host, maintained a positive attitude, as she noted the “little bit of movement now” in her face, teasing that “she wants to smile a little.”
“But yeah, but over here, everything is kind of pushed to the side. So that’s what I’ve been dealing with since we got back from the Oscars,” she added.
Ripa and Consuelos sent Deja their well wishes, as the former told her, “I feel for you, you’re such a trouper, first of all.”
After the Live studio audience gave Deja a round of applause, Deja conceded that her case of Bell’s Palsy “isn’t as bad as some that [she’s] seen online.”
“And I’m not in a lot of pain. It’s just more inconvenience,” she continued. “So all things considered, it’s not that bad.”
Deja, who is also a radio personality, issued a shoutout to her “listeners” and to “the Live family of viewers” for their support.
“Everybody’s been in my inbox with encouraging words, you guys,” she gushed. “And just giving me examples of things that may have happened to them, and just suggestions. Everybody’s just been so supportive.”
Ripa asked Deja what treatments she’s been doing.
Deja replied, “First they give you, like, prednisone, or a steroid shot and an anti-viral to get your cranial never to go down, because it’s inflamed. The cranial nerve, your facial nerve—cranial nerve number seven—is inflamed. So I did that.”
She also highlighted some “holistic” treatments she has sought out, like facial massages and acupuncture.
“You have to go and see an ophthalmologist, as well, because it impacts your eye, as well. So it’s a lot involved to it,” she said. “But, again, like, I’m not in a lot of pain, but it’s just a matter of processing it. And it has to take time because everybody’s journey in this whole paralysis is different. So I’m hoping it’ll wrap up soon, but if you have any suggestions, let me know.”
Ripa told Deja, “You know how I feel about you.”
Consuelos added, “We love you, Deja.”
Ripa echoed, “We love you very much, and we admire you.”
Deja thanked Ripa, Consuelos, and Live EP Michael Gelman, noting that they “have been so supportive.”
“Even when it happened, you were like, ‘Deja, what do I need to do? What do you need from me?'” she recalled. “But thank you so much. I mean, it’s just time, I think, right now, that can make it work. And I’m learning about it, so the more I learn, the more I’ll update on social and everything. And just pray.”
“The power of prayers,” Ripa agreed.
Ripa proceeded to praise Deja for “hanging in there.”
“I know it probably doesn’t feel comfortable for you, but you’re such a pro,” she said.
Consuelos added, “And Deja, through all this, you’re going to be helping a lot of people going through the journey with yourself, so [you’re] going to make a lot of awareness.”
Deja replied, “And vice versa. They’ve been helping me, as well. And I’ve been hearing other people who had this situation, other broadcasters, as well. And so there is, you know, a trajectory, and hope, and all that.”
Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.
