Rachael Ray made a rare public sighting in New York City on Wednesday morning – amid swirling concerns about her health.
The 57-year-old chef wore a brown leather jacket with slacks and gold tinted boots as she stepped out.
The TV star, who appeared to have ‘slurring’ speech in a September 2024 video, was heading into a taping of The Drew Barrymore Show where she was set to share a recipe with the movie icon.
On Mother’s Day, Ray shared an Instagram clip which left fans concerned. In the video, her words sounded garbled as she leaned heavily on the stove in front of her.
Last October, Ray had shared that she’d suffered ‘a couple of bad falls’ while carrying wood for a fire. But that, it seemed, was only part of the story.
As an insider exclusively told to the Daily Mail in May, Ray’s family have been left 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.
Rachael Ray made a rare public sighting in New York City on Wednesday morning – amid swirling concerns about her health
The TV star was heading into a taping of The Drew Barrymore Show.
‘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.’
It has not helped that she has suffered a string of career setbacks.
Her hit eponymous syndicated cooking show – The Rachael Ray Show – which premiered in 2006 and ran unhindered for 17 seasons dramatically concluded in 2023. She subsequently launched a new program ‘Meals in Minutes’ in April 2024; the third season for which was released in May.
However, the cancellation of the show that made her name no doubt came as a blow.
As an insider previously told the Daily Mail, Ray ‘has not had the easiest time’ since the show ended. It was her ‘pride and joy, and it was her life for so many years,’ that insider said.
In June the cook was holding a meet-and-greet and bottle signing for her distilled ‘Staple Gin’ in New York.
But despite initially drawing hype on social media, the event – at the Broadway Spirits store in Manhattan – got off to a rocky start when there were just 20 fans in line as the signing was due to begin, an insider exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail.
Ray seen with her husband of 20 years, John M. Cusimano
In February Ray posted a clip of herself cooking fajitas, but some of her comments throughout the video left her fans extremely worried about her health
In 2024 Ray shocked fans by posting a video which appeared to show her slurring her speech
In 2023, Ray announced the end of her daytime talk show after 17 seasons.
In September 2024 Ray sparked concern among fans after posting a video which appeared to show her slurring her speech.
Ray shocked fans when she posted a preview from show, Rachael Ray in Tuscany – which showed her cooking Ossobuco while paying tribute to the late Tony Bennett.
However, as an emotional Ray recounted Bennett hitting his head on her marble counter and fearing she had ‘killed him’ – fans were left enquiring about her own health.
One fan wrote: ‘Is she slurring or am I slurring’ while a second typed: ‘I love you but are you ok? I’m seriously concerned.’
Others penned: ‘Rachel is in a bit of trouble?! I hope someone is just as concerned as I am?’, ‘Wait! What’s going on with Rachael Ray?’ and ‘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.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Ray’s representative for comment.
