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A Minnesotan is one step closer to sitting alongside Kelly Ripa.

Lissa Ingaldson, a production manager and actress in the Twin CIties, was selected this week as one of the Top 10 finalists for a special contest being put on by ABC's "Live With Kelly." The winner will serve as co-host on Friday, Oct. 21.

Ingaldson made the top 10 after viewers voted on 20 contenders. The five finalists, selected by producers, will travel to New York City next week to compete live on the show.

Ingaldson's competition includes a former Miss New Jersey and a retired SWAT commander.

Contestants were selected after submitting a short video on why they deserve a shot on national TV. The show has been searching for a permanent guest host ever since Michael Strahan announced this past April that he was leaving to log more time at "Good Morning America." A similar contest was held back in 2012 before Strahan was named.

Among the guests scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21: Elijah Wood. Perhaps its not too early for Ingaldson to start boning up on her "Lord of the Rings" trivia.

"LIve With Kelly" airs locally at 9 a.m. KSTP, Ch. 5 weekdays.