Rachael Ray has made a return to public life after concerning fans with several health issues last year and again just months ago, when she appeared to slur her words in a cooking video
Rachael Ray has returned to the spotlight
Celebrity chef and Food Network star Rachael Ray appears to be making a return to the spotlight after experiencing several health scares last year and again only months ago.
In 2024, Ray revealed that she had “a couple of bad falls,” that limited her mobility, but her health issues didn’t appear to end there, as her social media followers grew concerned with her behavior in a several recent cooking videos.
However, the 57-year-old TV personality was all smiles as she hosted the Blue Moon Burger Bash 2.0, an annual event held during the New York City Wine & Food Festival, on Friday night, which was also co-host by Brooklyn Beckham.
READ MORE: David Muir shares heartbreaking reason why Diane Keaton never got marriedREAD MORE: Taylor Swift addresses ‘actual amnesia’ her fans experienced after the Eras Tour
According to videos obtained by TMZ of the event, Ray praised Beckham, calling him a great partner and adding that she had a great time with him as she pulled him in for a hug. Ray also flashed her warm smile as she posed for snaps with tons of other attendees.
Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Beckham hosted a burger-related event in New York City this week
Before the burger-related event, on Wednesday, October 15, the chef taped an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in New York for the Friday, Oct. 17, episode. Still, she’s been concerning her fans recently.
Parade reports that in July, during a promotional event for her gin line, Staple Gin, Ray reportedly displayed what sources called “bizarre behavior”—arriving late and appearing disoriented.
In May for Mother’s Day, Ray uploaded a cooking video, which had fans concerned as she appeared to “slur” her words. One wrote, “Rachael. Are you okay? You don’t look well.” Another added, “What happened to her? Wow!” A third commented, “Didn’t even recognize who this was.”
Then, she shared another one in early September 2024, resulting in a similar response from fans. After she shared a cooking video dedicated to the late Tony Bennett — where she prepared Bennett’s favorite dish, Ossobuco — followers were distracted by Ray’s appearance and speech once again.
Many noted that she didn’t “look quite right,” with one user commenting, “@rachaelray I love you but are you ok? I’m seriously concerned.” Others pointed out that one side of her mouth seemed droop and that she was slurring her words again.
Food Network star Rachael Ray has had a few health issues recently
In October of last year, the celebrity chef first sparked worry after a video surfaced in which she appeared to slur her speech. However, in response to the speculation, Ray later revealed all on her new podcast, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, where she opened up about her recent health struggles and home life.
She went on to express her love for “physical labor,” but admitted that her usual routine of physical chores had been disrupted in recent weeks after suffering a few falls. Hollywood Life reports that she also had a benign vocal-cord cyst and other minor issues.
An insider told to the Daily Mail in May that Ray’s family have been worried for her wellbeing. “Those close to Rachael are so concerned,” the insider said. “She has shut people out and lives a very secluded life.
“She seems lost and when anyone reaches out to her she doesn’t respond,” they added. “Rachael was always so meticulous about her appearance, and it is very telling and concerning that she now just doesn’t care. It is indicative of a bigger issue.”
Ray became a household name in 2001 with Food Network’s 30 Minute Meals. She later launched the daytime talk show Rachael Ray in 2006 and her lifestyle magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray.