Rachael Ray raised concerns among her fans after sharing a video clip from her show “Rachael Ray in Tuscany,” where some perceived she may have slurred her words.
In the video posted on Monday, Ray pays tribute to the late Tony Bennett by preparing his favorite dish, ossobuco, while recounting a story about a fall he took in her home. The 56-year-old chef described how she cooked the braised veal shank with polenta for Bennett and his wife, Susan Crow, during which Bennett’s chair unexpectedly slid, causing him to hit his head on the counter. Crow reassured Ray that Bennett would be okay, and indeed he was, as he enjoyed two servings of the dish.
Throughout the clip, Ray spoke slowly, prompting viewers to express concern about her well-being. Comments included alarming suggestions about a possible stroke, with one viewer stating, “I think it’s a mini stroke,” and another expressing their sadness over her condition.
Some fans echoed similar worries, with comments implying that Ray appeared intoxicated. “OMG someone get this woman help!” one commenter urged, while another expressed concern about her overall appearance.
Despite the outcry, others defended Ray, suggesting she was simply emotional while speaking about her late friend. “She’s fine! Not 22 and cutesy anymore, but she’s fine,” one fan reassured others.
This isn’t the first time viewer feedback has raised red flags; another clip from the series featuring her recipe for pollo al mattone received negative comments regarding her weight and age.
Ray concluded her long-running talk show, “The Rachael Ray Show,” in 2023 after 17 successful seasons. “Rachael Ray in Tuscany” premiered in June on FYI, a lifestyle channel under A&E Networks, which has also invested in Ray’s production company, Free Food Studios, to develop new shows.