Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos took a moment to shout out Live with Kelly and Markâs announcer, Deja Vu, who has been navigating Bellâs 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 âwas hit with a bout of Bellâs Palsyâ while she the Live team were out in Los Angeles for their Oscars coverage and After the Oscars Show.
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âSo itâs facial paralysis, and it kind of droops to the side a little,â she explained, as she proceeded to remove her mask. âItâs not drooping as much now, but Iâm still speaking to the side. So the right side of my face is kind of paralyzed.â
Per the Cleveland Clinic, Bellâs Palsy typically only affects one side of the face, and is caused by âinflammation and swelling of your seventh cranial nerve.â 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 âlittle bit of movement nowâ in her face, teasing that âshe wants to smile a little.â

âBut yeah, but over here, everything is kind of pushed to the side. So thatâs what Iâve been dealing with since we got back from the Oscars,â she added.
Ripa and Consuelos sent Deja their well wishes, as the former told her, âI feel for you, youâre such a trouper, first of all.â
After the Live studio audience gave Deja a round of applause, Deja conceded that her case of Bellâs Palsy âisnât as bad as some that [sheâs] seen online.â
âAnd Iâm not in a lot of pain. Itâs just more inconvenience,â she continued. âSo all things considered, itâs not that bad.â

Deja, who is also a radio personality, issued a shoutout to her âlistenersâ and to âthe Live family of viewersâ for their support.
âEverybodyâs been in my inbox with encouraging words, you guys,â she gushed. âAnd just giving me examples of things that may have happened to them, and just suggestions. Everybodyâs just been so supportive.â
Ripa asked Deja what treatments sheâs been doing.
Deja replied, âFirst they give you, like, prednisone, or a steroid shot and an anti-viral to get your cranial never to go down, because itâs inflamed. The cranial nerve, your facial nerveâcranial nerve number sevenâis inflamed. So I did that.â
She also highlighted some âholisticâ treatments she has sought out, like facial massages and acupuncture.
âYou have to go and see an ophthalmologist, as well, because it impacts your eye, as well. So itâs a lot involved to it,â she said. âBut, again, like, Iâm not in a lot of pain, but itâs just a matter of processing it. And it has to take time because everybodyâs journey in this whole paralysis is different. So Iâm hoping itâll wrap up soon, but if you have any suggestions, let me know.â
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Ripa told Deja, âYou know how I feel about you.â
Consuelos added, âWe love you, Deja.â
Ripa echoed, âWe love you very much, and we admire you.â
Deja thanked Ripa, Consuelos, and Live EP Michael Gelman, noting that they âhave been so supportive.â
âEven when it happened, you were like, âDeja, what do I need to do? What do you need from me?ââ she recalled. âBut thank you so much. I mean, itâs just time, I think, right now, that can make it work. And Iâm learning about it, so the more I learn, the more Iâll update on social and everything. And just pray.â
âThe power of prayers,â Ripa agreed.
Ripa proceeded to praise Deja for âhanging in there.â
âI know it probably doesnât feel comfortable for you, but youâre such a pro,â she said.
Consuelos added, âAnd Deja, through all this, youâre going to be helping a lot of people going through the journey with yourself, so [youâre] going to make a lot of awareness.â
Deja replied, âAnd vice versa. Theyâve been helping me, as well. And Iâve 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.â



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