Fans said they were “seriously concerned” for Rachael Ray as she appeared to slur her words in a new cooking video.
The chef, 56, took to Instagram on Monday to pay tribute to the late Tony Bennett by making his favorite dish, ossobuco, which consists of braised veal shanks with polenta and bread.
In the clip, Ray recalled inviting Bennett and his wife, Susan Crow, for dinner, where she “almost killed him.”
“I had polished the floors in the kitchen because, well, Tony Bennett’s coming to dinner,” she continued. “I have to make sure the floors are perfect and the house is clean and everything is just amazing.”
Rachael Ray shared a video on Monday where she paid tribute to the late Tony Bennett.home.made.nation/Instagram
In the video shared Monday, she cooked the singer’s favorite dish, ossobuco.home.made.nation/Instagram
The “Rachael Ray in Tuscany” star said she may have gone “overboard” with her floors because Bennett’s chair “slid out from under” him and he “hit his head” on her marble counter.
Despite the scary fall, Bennett was OK and enjoyed “double portions” of the meal she prepared him.
The singer passed away at age 96 on July 21, 2023. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years prior.
In the video, she recalled inviting Bennett and his wife to dinner.Getty Images for Exploring the A
The “Rachael Ray in Tuscany” star said she may have gone “overboard” with waxing her floors because the singer’s chair “slid out from under” him and he “hit his head” on her marble counter.home.made.nation/Instagram
Fans, however, weren’t interested in her story and instead questioned whether something was going on with Ray’s health.
“I love you but are you ok? I’m seriously concerned,” one user wrote.
Another one added, “Wait! What’s going on with Rachael Ray?”
“Is she slurring or am I slurring,” asked a third person, while another pointed out, “Rachel is in a bit of trouble?! I hope someone is just as concerned as I am?”
Fans expressed their concern for her health as she “slurred” her words.home.made.nation/Instagram
Other fans defended the author against the online hate.home.made.nation/Instagram
Others, however, defended Ray against the speculation.
“She’s aging like the rest of us. Maybe she has a medical condition, maybe she is on medication. Regardless, no need to be mean,” wrote one supporter.
“She’s aging well the normal way no plastic surgery or doing it like every one else … get real people … all people judging about how all this celebrity are plastic surgery breast, lip, but [sic] anything and she’s just like us again the natural way so yes this is a shock to you all … Go Rachael do your thing and thank you for showing us the real you,” added another.
“My goodness, all you perfect people making the most awful, hateful comments. MOVE ALONG!” said a third.
Page Six has contacted Ray’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Ray, seen above in February 2016, has not had any health issues made public.Getty Images
In 2008, Ray, pictured above in October 2019, shut down reports that she was having surgery for a throat cancer scare.Getty Images for NYCWFF
Ray has not made any health issues public. However, in 2008, a spokesman for the “Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals 2” author shut down reports she was having surgery for a throat cancer scare.
“Rachael is the picture of health. She is having very minor surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cord,” Charlie Dougiello said at the time.
“It’s a common in-and-out procedure that she will have in early December and it will not adversely affect any of her daytime show or Food Network tapings.”
