Rachael Ray has chosen to ignore fan concerns about her slurred speech, focusing instead on her culinary content. On Wednesday, the celebrity chef posted a new paella recipe on Instagram, inviting her followers to “Break out the cast iron 🥘” and suggesting they “add some zest to Wednesday night’s dinner” with a shrimp 🍤 and chorizo paella party 🎉.
Ray, 56, has been receiving mixed feedback following a recent video where viewers noticed what they perceived as slurred speech. In the video, Ray was reminiscing about a dinner she hosted for the late Tony Bennett, during which she recounted a mishap involving the singer. She described how she had gone overboard cleaning her kitchen floors in preparation for Bennett’s visit, which resulted in his chair slipping and him hitting his head on the marble countertop.
The video drew attention not just to the anecdote but to Ray’s speech, with several viewers expressing concern. “One corner of her mouth is much lower than the other. The nurse in me would have her checked for any side effects from a stroke,” wrote one concerned viewer. Another commenter added, “I love you but are you ok? I’m seriously concerned.” A third questioned, “Is she slurring or am I slurring?” suggesting that Ray’s speech might indicate a health issue.
Despite these concerns, Ray did not address the matter in her latest Instagram post. Instead, she focused on sharing a vibrant recipe and promoting a fun dinner idea. Her supporters were quick to come to her defense, attributing any changes in her speech to natural aging or potential side effects of medication. “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,” one supporter commented.
In addition to the recipe post, Ray had previously shared her emotional reflections on Bennett, who passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96 following his battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She fondly remembered Bennett as “the most beautiful man … ever” and expressed how much she misses him.
While Ray’s latest social media activity shifted the focus back to her cooking, the initial concerns about her health have not entirely faded. Nonetheless, the celebrity chef has chosen to move forward with her content, opting to concentrate on her culinary expertise and interactions with her audience.
