Rachael Ray gives fans a health update after “slurring” her words in an Instagram video

Kathleen William October 23, 2024

Rachael Ray has given fans an update on her health after appearing to have her words “slurred” in a recent Instagram post.

During the premiere of her new podcast for the 56-year-old I'll sleep when I'm deadShe spoke about her well-being and at the same time talked about her constant need to fulfill household duties.

“I am a housewife. I love homework. I love being in the kitchen,” she said. “I work with my brain every day, I’m always writing something, but I really enjoy homework.”

“I like what people think of as physical labor,” Ray continued, noting that she loves preparing and planning dinner as much as carrying wood.

However, Ray has recently been out of action and has given up heavy physical work after a few accidents.

Rachael Ray reveals she suffered “a few bad falls” while doing housework (Getty Images for NYCWFF)

“I've had a few bad falls in the last few weeks, so I haven't done this for a while,” she admitted.

Ray and her husband, John Cusimano, 57, often find themselves in competition when doing physical tasks, such as collecting wood outside. Although her competitiveness remains unspoken, Ray admitted that she is constantly thinking about how she can “outdo” Cusimano.

She explained: “How many pieces of wood did John carry? Can I carry more? I won't tell John that. I just tell myself.”

The Food Network star's health update comes after fans expressed concern about Ray in September after the chef was featured in a Home Made Nation Instagram post.

In the video, shared on September 2 as part of the brand's Rachael Ray in Tuscany series, the chef appeared to slur her speech while cooking osso buco as a tribute to the late Tony Bennett. While Ray was cooking her veal shanks, she remembered how the legendary singer came to her house to have dinner.

However, some viewers claimed Ray's speech was slurred in the clip, like one Instagram user who commented: “Something is definitely wrong here.”

“Her voice was definitely slurred,” a second person agreed, while another added: “You look like a completely different person than you used to.”

Some Instagram users believed Ray was either drunk or had a stroke. “I think it's a small stroke. Part of her mouth seems to be drooping,” one person commented, while someone else said, “She's drunk… I hope everything is okay and you just had one drink too many… I'm praying for you. “

While Ray has yet to publicly address her speech in the video, many fans defended her against negative commenters who speculated about her health.

“I don't hear anything unclear, but she tells the story with compassion. She’s a good person and her mood is good,” one fan pointed out.

“Can we stop being internet doctors?” another person wrote. “Rachael Ray has worked in this industry for years. If she has a health problem, we wish her well, but calling her names or making fun of her is just terrible. What’s wrong with some of you?”

The Independent has reached out to representatives for Ray for comment.