Over the past few months, fears have grown for the health of the culinary TV star Rachael Ray after she made a series of bizarre public appearances. Now, Ray has become the latest celebrity to flee America as concerns for her health continue to spread.
Ray Prefers Italy Over America
In a new interview, Ray admitted that she prefers living in Italy over America.
“My husband [John Cusimano] loves being in New York,” Ray, 57, told US Weekly. “And I tell him, ‘Hey, go as often as you like, stay as long as you want.’ I come to New York and upstate New York when I have work, I prefer Italy.”
“It’s quiet. The dog is much happier. She hates New York City. Bella is not a New Yorker at all,” she continued. “So, for the dog’s sake, I spend as much time [in Italy] as I can. She has a swimming pool and 66 hectares to run around on, and everything is very quiet, and the air is very fresh, and we have huge gardens and a vineyard and olive trees, and I just prefer that life.”
Though she prefers Italy, Ray is in New York today. There, she is co-hosting the Blue Moon Burger Bash 2.0, presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats, with Brooklyn Beckham. Despite this being a burger bash, Ray will be bringing a hot dog at the urging of NYCWFF founder Lee Schrager.
Ray explained that Schrager has been her friend for many years. That’s why she does “whatever he says.”
“He’s my friend for over 20 years, and I do what he asks me to and he wanted hot dog representation at our burger bash,” Ray added. “I thought that’s a fun idea to freshen things up after all these decades and gajillion shows between here and Miami, like, yeah, sure, let’s have some fun with dogs.”
Ray’s Secret To Making Good Food
Ray went on to reveal that the secret to making a great hot dog is not to sweat it too much. In fact, this is her secret to making any good meal.
“I don’t think that any food of any type should be taken too seriously. So have fun with it,” she stated. “Have a sense of humor about it. Wrap your dogs in bacon and top them with all kinds of kooky stuff. And I just think there should be no rules when it comes to fun food or food that you eat with your hands, especially.”
“You should take your life seriously and you should take appreciating work seriously, but you should never take yourself seriously,” Ray concluded. “You certainly shouldn’t take food seriously.”
Fears For Ray’s Health
This comes amidst major fears for Ray’s health. Those fears began in September of last year, when Ray took to Instagram to post a bizarre video honoring the late singer Tony Bennett.
Fans responded by saying that Ray was “slurring” her speech in the video. Some questioned if she was drunk, while others thought she might be on a medication or suffering from a major health condition.
“Is she slurring or am I slurring,” one fan commented. Another added, “I love you but are you ok? I’m seriously concerned.”
“Rachel is in a bit of trouble?! I hope someone is just as concerned as I am?” a third fan wrote. A fourth person questioned, “What the heck is wrong with her? Messy hair, slurring words….wow just wow …”
Check out that video for yourself below.
Ray’s Loved Ones Are ‘Concerned’ For Her
This also comes after an insider told Daily Mail that Ray “has not had the easiest time” since her eponymous talk show ended in 2023. The source added that The Rachel Ray Show was Ray’s “pride and joy, and it was her life for so many years.”
Things have gotten so bad for Ray that her family and friends have reportedly become concerned about her wellbeing.
“Those close to Rachael are so concerned,” another insider alleged. “She has shut people out and lives a very secluded life.”
“She seems lost and when anyone reaches out to her she doesn’t respond,” this source continued. “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.”
Perhaps the American scrutiny over her health is partly why Ray prefers life in Europe these days. While it’s unclear what exactly is going on with Ray’s health, it seems that all is not well with her.
Please join us in saying a prayer for Rachael Ray!