Rachael Ray revealed she has ‘had a few bad falls in recent weeks’ after fans voiced their health concerns.
In early September, the 56-year-old left her admirers worried when she posted a cooking video in which she shared an anecdote about the late Tony Bennett.
Social media users began commenting on her “slurred” speech, wondering if she was on “medication” or had a “health problem.”
Days later, a representative for Ra’sy responded to the speculation by issuing a statement saying the celebrity chef had “no comment” on the matter, via TMZ.
Now, Ray has opened up in the debut episode of her podcast that she enjoys doing “physical labor” around the house, but has had to cut back on certain tasks recently because she’s had “a few bad falls” while carrying wood I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
Rachael Ray revealed she has had ‘a few bad falls in recent weeks’ after fans voiced their health concerns; pictured last week at a Food Network event in New York
Ray said clearly and cheerfully, “I’m a housewife. I like chores. I love being in the kitchen. I’m always working with my brain every day, I’m always writing something, but I really like doing chores.’
She continued, “I like what people consider physical work. I love making food, planning dinners, making lists. I like physical labor, helping to carry the wood.’
Ray then commented, “I’ve had a few bad falls in the last few weeks, so I haven’t done that in a while, but I love carrying wood.”
Referring to her husband John Cusimano, she said, “How many pieces of wood did John have with him? Can I bring more? I don’t say that to John. I just say it to myself.’
The first episode of Ray’s podcast was an interview with author Jenny Mollen, who is married to American Pie and Orange Is The New Black actor Jason Biggs.
In the same episode, Ray candidly discussed the explosive arguments she has had with her husband, whom she has been married to since 2005.
She reflected that “it’s very difficult, especially for short-tempered, creative or noisy, let’s say loud people, to be able to just calm it down.”
Ray confessed, “John and I never calm it down. We have huge shouting matches all the time. But I think that’s healthy, I really do, and I don’t trust people who are too quiet… Too quiet scares me. I prefer you tell me what you’re thinking if you’re thinking it, and let’s get it all out there, get it out there.”
She revealed that she’s had to cut back on certain tasks lately because she’s had “a few bad falls” while carrying wood, in the debut episode of her podcast I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
In the same episode, Ray candidly discussed the “shouting matches” she has with her husband, whom she has been married to since 2005; the couple is pictured in 2021
When Mollen asked whether Ray or Cusimano apologizes first after an argument, Ray admitted, “I don’t know if we ever apologize to each other.”
She explained, “I end up patting his butt or kissing me on the head, and that’s just it. That’s the apology. It’s just kind of understood, “Okay, I still like you.” “I still like your head.” It’s kind of in that zone.’
Ray’s comments come more than a month after she sparked concerns about her health from fans after posting a video that appeared to show her slurring her speech.
She posted a preview of the new show Rachael Ray in Tuscany, in which she cooked Ossobuco while paying tribute to the late Tony Bennett.
However, as an emotional Ray shared that Bennett hit his head on her marble counter and feared she had ‘killed him’, fans continued to ask about her own health.
One fan wrote: “Is she slurping or am I slurping,” while a second typed: “I love you but are you okay? I’m very concerned.’
Others wrote: ‘Rachel is in a bit of trouble?! I hope someone is as concerned as I am?’, ‘Wait! What’s going on with Rachael Ray?’ and ‘She’s getting older, just like the rest of us. Maybe she has a medical condition, maybe she’s on medication. Anyway, you don’t have to be mean.’
“What the hell is wrong with her? Messy hair, slurred words….wow, just wow…”
In early September, the 56-year-old worried her admirers when she posted a cooking video in which she shared an anecdote about the late Tony Bennett.
Days later, a rep for Ray responded to the speculation by issuing a statement via TMZ saying the celebrity chef had “no comment” on the matter.
Other viewers supported the star, writing: ‘Such negative comments here. Leave Rachel alone. People experience different things in life that we don’t know about. Let’s just be nice.’
‘I adore Rachael, I would do anything to cook with her, drink some wine and laugh with her! She is the most giving and talented person with so much heart, and she deserves nothing but love and respect from her fans, she has mine!”
‘People leave her alone, menopause affects us all differently. Instead of putting her down, enjoy the delicious food and fun stories.”
DailyMail.com has contacted Rachael Ray’s representatives for comment.
Last year, Ray announced the end of her daytime talk show after seventeen seasons.
“In my twenty-plus years in television, I have had seventeen wonderful seasons working with Rachael on daytime television,” Ray’s statement began.
“However, I have decided it is time to move on to the next exciting chapter in my broadcasting career.”
The Rachael Ray Show debuted in 2006 and became the flagship syndicated program launched that year. Over the next seventeen seasons, the program collected 37 Daytime Emmy nominations, winning three for Outstanding Talk Show.
The Rachael Ray Show debuted in 2006 and became the top syndicated program launched that year, going on to collect 37 Daytime Emmy nominations.
The core of Rachael’s format highlights her relatable cooking skills, alongside her fun and easygoing interview style.
Celebrity guests play an important role, as the 30-Minute Meals star has interviewed A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, the Kardashians and even former First Lady Michelle Obama.
The Rachael Ray Show was one of the first daytime programs to resume filming during the Covid pandemic, returning for its 16th season in October 2021.
2020 has been a tough year for Ray and her husband John Cusimano, 56, as tThe couple lost their home in upstate New York to an accidental fire in August 2020.
They also suffered from their Manhattan apartment flooded in September of that year, plus their pit bull Isaboo died that summer in June.
In 2008, Ray’s rep debunked rumors that she had a throat cancer scare, saying, “Rachael is the epitome of health. She undergoes very minor surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cords.
“It’s a routine in-and-out procedure that she will undergo in early December and it will have no adverse effect on her daytime filming or on Food Network filming.”
