Rachael Ray left her fans “concerned” after posting a video in which she appears to slur her words.
The 56-year-old cult TV chef posted a clip from her series ‘Rachael Ray in Tuscany’ on Instagram on Monday, September 2, entertaining viewers with the scene in which she invited legendary pop singer Tony Bennett to dinner and – in her own words – “almost killed” him.
Ray recalled the shocking story as he prepared to show viewers how to make Bennett’s favorite dish, osso buco – braised veal shanks with polenta and bread.
The bestselling cookbook author admitted that when Bennett first came to her home, she “went a bit overboard” and polished her kitchen floors – an action that resulted in Bennett suffering a dangerous fall.
Ray recalled, “As I was pulling out Tony’s chair so he could sit down for his appetizer snacks and appetizer, the chair slipped out from under him and he hit his head on my marble counter behind him and fell to the floor.”
The TV personality, whose popular daytime show ends in 2023, was stunned. “I thought I had killed Tony Bennett,” she recalled. “I thought I had literally killed him. And his wife Susan – so wonderful – said to me, ‘Rachael, he’s fine. He’ll resurface. Just leave him alone.'”
“He made it through the whole dinner,” said Ray, adding that he even ate double the portion.
Bennett died on July 21, 2023 at the age of 96 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Ray remembered him as “such a gentleman.”
“I miss my friends so much,” she said. “The most beautiful man, perhaps ever.”
Viewers on Instagram were distracted from Ray’s story by the way the TV chef spoke.
“Leave her alone or am I babbling?” asked one person.
Another concerned fan wrote: “Wait! What’s going on with Rachael Ray?”
“I love you but are you okay? I’m seriously worried,” someone else commented on Ray’s post.
Many others agreed with this opinion and one person asked: “What happened(?)”
Just as quickly as commentators asked questions about Ray’s appearance and speech, others rushed to her defense.
“God you people are rude!!!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and food with us today,” one fan chimed in.
Another supporter responded: “My goodness you perfect people make the most horrible, hateful comments. MOVE ON!”
Many also criticized commentators for asking questions about Ray’s health. “It’s none of our business, but our job is to listen to her story and see the positive,” said one supporter.
“She’s aging like the rest of us. Maybe she has a health issue, maybe she’s on medication. Whatever, there’s no need to be mean,” another added.
One supporter pointed out that Ray’s manner of speaking may have been altered by her emotions. “She got emotional talking about her friend, that’s all,” the person said of Bennett.
As for the criticism of the chef’s performance, one fan summed up the opinion of several Rachael Ray fans.
“She is aging in a normal way, without plastic surgery or like everyone else… be honest guys… all people are judging that all these celebrities have plastic surgery on their boobs, lips or whatever and she is back to being just like us, naturally, so yeah this is a shock to y’all,” they wrote. “Go on Rachael, do your thing and thank you for showing us the real you.”
Throughout her many years in the spotlight, Ray has not publicly disclosed any health issues. However, the television star expressed concerns about her health back in 2008 when rumors surfaced that she was undergoing surgery for throat cancer.
“Rachael is the bloom of life,” Ray’s spokesman Charlie Dougiello said at the time. “She will undergo a minor surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cord. It is a routine procedure that will be performed in early December and will not negatively impact her daytime shows or Food Network tapings.”
The Post has reached out to Ray’s representative for comment.
