Cole Sprouse is not being a jughead when it comes to his relationship.
In fact, the Riverdale alum knows he has found the perfect couple for him and girlfriend Ari Fournier to look up to: his former costar Mark Consuelos and his wife of nearly 28 years, Kelly Ripa.
"I don't think it's a coincidence that Ari and I have gotten so close to you and Mark," Cole explained on the April 2 episode of SiriusXM's Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa podcast, "because I think you guys represent a kind of masculinity and femininity that we both find so admirable, especially in 2024."
Noting that "those definitions of masculinity and femininity are changing so rapidly," Cole sees Mark and Kelly "as such a testament to the power of that."
While he's taken that to heart in his romance with Ari, whom he went public with in March 2021, it's not the only reason the 31-year-old thinks he and the model work so well together.
"I'm sure you understand this with Mark too," he told Kelly, "because when real compatibility comes into your life, it makes almost everything in the past feel like a lesson or a stepping stone to what you've arrived to now."
Cole—who dated Riverdale costar Lili Reinhart from 2017 to 2020—shared that being with Ari is also the first time he can be "so wholly and completely" himself in a relationship, which he said is "a tremendous testament to her and the way she carries herself."
And as for where he sees their romance going? Although his twin brother Dylan Sprouse married model Barbara Palvin in July, Cole and Ari aren't in a huge rush to the alter.
"Ari, with her eternal gracefulness and elegance has never put any pressure on a situation," he said. "Especially from a public perspective at all. And I love that. So we're taking it one day at a time."
But should they change their mind, Kelly—who noted that Ari is "a keeper"—was quick to share that she and Mark are both ordained ministers and the couple could pick one of them to do the honors. Although if Cole has his way, he would have them both, joking, "I think the way I imagined it was you're on Mark's shoulders, both of you are in one giant trench coat, and you're doing it at the same time would be ideal."
Allow Mark and Kelly to influence your love life with some of their cutest moments.
"Happy Birthday to my best friend, lover, confidant. My dance partner in life..My forever girl," Mark Consuelos wrote on Kelly Ripa's 51st birthday, alongside a group of pics of the two on a beach. "For all the important days we've missed being together over many years, I'm so grateful to spend this special day with you. I love you, Happy Birthday amore', M."
The morning show star shared a "Throwback Sunday" photo of the Riverdale alum flashing his abs as he relaxed on the beach.
She also turned up the heat with this shot of her hubby fixing his sunglasses.
And the talk show host shared a sweet pic of the duo walking arm in arm along the sand.
"So proud of my girl. 15year live anniversary. #KellysSweet15 #quinceañera"
"The band is back together again... Brunch with the Consuelos gang..."
"Live! Christmas party on FLEEK! @instasuelos on FLEEK! False eyelashes on FLEEK! (Mine, not his)"
"#bae watch."
"Can't make this sh#! Up. Small calf tear."
"Sooo proud of you @kellyripa ...so well deserved...xoxxo"
"Thank you @marcobenattar for a great Montreal weekend."
"On our way to Formula 1. Grand Prix Montreal"
"Nobody I'd rather spend hump day with than @instasuelos for obvious reasons."
"Here he comes.........@instasuelos always scintillating........always shirtless. #cohosting"
"Happy hump day to my beloved @instasuelos ! Thank you for making everyday feel like hump day!"
"New Years Eve with @instasuelos is EVERYTHING!"
"Canton here we come @michaelstrahan start chillin the tequila"
"What are you lookin at"