Rachael Ray Admits to ‘Sad Things Happening’ & Needing Space From Her Husband
Rachael Ray has spoken out about her emotional state as fan concern about the celebrity chef lingers following a video last month when she appeared to slur her words.
On Tuesday, October 29, Ray released the second installment of her new intimate podcast I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead. The longtime Food Network favorite had Billy Crudup of The Morning Show as the guest. During last week’s launch episode, Ray admitted to having “a couple bad falls,” marking her first public comments about her physical health after the initial video.
Rachael Ray/Podcast
In the new installment, Crudup divulged his passion for several axed projects, including the Apple TV+ series Hello Tomorrow!, which was canceled after one season. Ray related to the notion of things not going as expected.
“That’s the beauty of life,” she said. “You have to learn, and I think this is a big talking point for living a long life and having a long life and having a career is you have to learn to understand when things are sad. And what everything means ultimately to your choices.”
“Not everything that feels bad is bad,” she continued. “Sometimes things that happen to you that from the outside look sad, they also help you propel forward and understand other people.”
Ray did not specify what experience made her “feel bad,” or the incident that looked “sad” from the outside and whether they related to any health or other personal issues.
The TV personality also shared she and her husband John Cusimano like to spend time apart: “I am wildly, wildly lucky that I have my husband. But he understands I need my space. He needs his space. John and I largely stay in separate corners.”
In early September, Ray shared a video from her FYI series Rachael Ray in Tuscany where she appeared to be slurring her speech, some fans went as far as to say she looked “puffy.” It led many on social media to speculate that something might be wrong with a number of unsubstantiated theories.
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According to TMZ, when the star’s rep was asked about the video, they were told, “No comment.”
Soon after, Ray took to Instagram to repost another clip from her FYI series where she shared her recipe for Rabbit Ragu. However, she didn’t address the fan concerns from her previous video, leading many fans to highly await the 56-year-old’s podcast.
During the first episode, she alluded to an incident that could have had to do with her physical state. Sharing her love of “physical labor,” she admitted that physical chores have been on pause in recent weeks because she had suffered a few falls.
“I like to help carry in the wood,” she explained. “I had a couple of bad falls in the last couple of weeks so I haven’t been doing that in a while.”
Last year, Ray said goodbye to her self-titled talk show after 17 seasons. She went on to co-found Free Food Studios, selling a 50% stake in the company to A&E Networks in January 2024.
Ray’s new weekly podcast is described as follows: “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (quite literally!) is about life’s journeys and what keeps us going,” Ray said in a statement. “It’s unscripted, raw, and real talk. Working fuels me, connecting with people fuels me, and this platform allows for connection and conversation on a more personal level, which really fuels me.”
Other guests in future weeks are Bob Harper, Anne Burrell, Harlan Coben, Jacques Pepin, Jeremy Sisto, and Billy Porter.
Conversation139 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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I think it's Rachael's business and nobody else if she wants to tell us fine and if she don't fine.
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Do you think it's fine?
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I watched the new show as I loved 30 min meals. It was confusing to me. It appeared that she had a few too many drinks and was rambling and not making sense. The husband was just as bad. Couldn't even watch the entire episode. Very concerned.
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I agree with you. I think they both like to drink. Going live on a TV show with having a cocktail or wine during the show isn't good in public view or for there fans.
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It's "their" fans. Not good for the public to view.
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Whatever she and her husband decide to do is their own business and no one else's.
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So true- but maybe. Just maybe don’t poop where u work
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They are probably not getting along & drinking. He likes sex swinger clubs & she does not.....She keeps taking him back. When I found out my 3rd ex husband kept his gay life & sex swinger life secret, I divorced him. But that's me, old fashioned. I like monogamy when I am married. I hope Rachel Ray looks after her heath & has support from her family, friends & fans to get through difficult times.
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I still regularly make recipes she made on "30 Minute Meals." Sad to hear.
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I am guessing it's a medical problem and not at all drinking. She is in a new environment and needs time to find her own way. Let's be supportive and give her time.
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I feel for her I'm in the same boat. I've lost most of my vision in a matter of one day. Lost my job six months after as I can no longer physically do it. I've accidentally fallen injured my knee gone through menopause, gained 50lbs in 2 years. I'm 54 this has been hell.
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Poor you ,prayers for you! How did your vision get so bad?
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I feel ya. I just got married a year ago. I'm have surgery for endometriosis tomorrow. I fall over air and forget what I go in a room for. I just turned 50.
I'm sorry you are having a hard time and pray things get better for you.
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Prayers for you too!🙏🙏
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Endometriosis doesn’t cause the couple of symptoms you mention. I hope you get better but I see a neurologist
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dr.ali rezai,west virginia university's rockefeller institute.concentrated focused ultrasound treatments with monoclonal antibodies added to microbubble solution.the answer to SO much.
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Thank you for telling y’all’s truth I just turned 50 and have Fallon several times and I break everything I have too many things to list and I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one.going threw getting older without my permission.
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My daughter 59 also lost her vision overnight, detatched retina in one eye and macular hole in the other eye.
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That has no bearing on this.
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It sure does. I am dealing with the same.
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I am dealing with that now. It's a clue to us that we need to slow down and take time for ourselves. She has been through a lot. Maybe writing her thoughts, about her new home and the beauty around her will help. Wishing her the best.
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I'm so sorry to hear all you've been through. ❤️
It truly does sound like hell.
I just turned 40 and have all of the signs of colon "issues". I wont use the c word.
to make matters worse, I'm living with my MIL who hates me, while the flooded home I lived in (over 7 months ago) gets back to a livable condition.
I never thought I'd have these types of health issues. Good luck to you! 🙏
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Also, I grew up watching Rachel on Food Network. She's the reason why I got into cooking. And I hope to God that she recovers. What an icon!
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I pray you get a Colonoscopy ASAP! I just had a golf ball size cancer removed from my colon, I have been doing the mail in swipe the poo test for 10 years! It NEVER showed signs! 🙏
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That mail in test is not at all a good alternative to the real colonoscopy! Too many false positives and negatives!
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And add to that for me...lost a husband and daughter ....then l lost my mind...(with drew from living) Took awhile but l made it back to the living
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Kat, was it the vaccine? I am so sorry for your loss. I have lost several to the vaccine. S
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You do not know and have no way of knowing if you are in the "same boat" that she is. It's a shame that you're going through bad things, but you cannot possibly assume you are in the same situation as someone who you do not personally know.
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God forbid aren't you the "stay on topic" police. D***, this is a comment section. People can comment about what they want. If you don't like it you should leave.
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empathy,man.(wins elections too).
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God bless you 🙏 Rachel, it's no one's business but your own. Prayers to guide you 🙏 through whatever it is you need. Keep on fighting !
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Life happens, yes even to tv stars.
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No don't you know TV stars live in an alternate reality of sunshine, rainbows, and no problems!
JK. Hope she's well. Even someone famous deserves privacy.
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She needs to take a break from food not family look at them cheeks you could just squeeze em
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She doesn't have to explain shit to anyone. Life
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sometimes people with brain ischemia/nerve disruptions get in a whatever-you-say non-caring feeling.i have a relative like this.if fans see a physical difference..it's not a moral judgement.fans just want her to get a checkup if more than a one-time drunk.
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I have read a lot of comments and no one yet has demanded or asked her to explain herself yet there's no shortage of rude MYOB remarks. Fans are justly concerned and are speculating because of the information vacuum is all that's happening. Too many comment police here.
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My dogs love her dog food. Obviously there are a few "issues" she is dealing with. I hope for the best for her!
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I remember Rachel’s beloved dog, Isaboo, that I believe inspired her to start her dog food line long ago!
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She looks like she's had a stroke.
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I thought the same thing when I first read an article about her speech. Her mouth is even angled like someone who's had a stroke.
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I hope rachel went to the hospital just to be checked out after her slurring. I just had a tia which I had the symptons of a stroke but it wasnt it's called a tia it's best to know for sure.
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A TIA is a stroke. You had a stroke.
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A TIA is not the same as a stroke. Ischemia is different than infarction. A TIA resolves on its own and cannot be diagnosed by CT or MRI.
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TamRN, that is incorrect. It is a type of stroke, I do believe it is the more common occurring of the two. It is called a mini stroke. I was able to be diagnosised with imaging amd testing. A TIA Stroke happens when a blocked artery cuts off blood to an area of the brain.this is known as an ischemic stroke, you are correct there. The second type of stroke happens when a blood vessel leaks or bursts causing the blood to spill into the brain tissue or surround the brain. This is called a hemorrhagic stroke- what people would consider the more damageing and fatal. The majority of people ive talked to or have been asked questions by, would tell you a stroke is clot or bleeding in the brain. Which is a simplified right answer.Two years ago i was diagnosed with TIA episodes, which can be confusing and difficult. Because seziures can happen before ,after or during the episode, symptoms oftem get dismissed and labeled as "seizure activity". The more episodes rhat happen, without treating of the cause, the more severe the sumptoms and episodes. And since clots can cause a leak, or burst, each ischemic stroke puts you at higher risk of a hemorrhagic stroke.Most of my TIA episodes were labeled as "seizure activity" . The same year they started i was also diagnosed with a bleeding and blood clotting disorder,with lupus anticoagulation, i had dvt clots and svt clots in both legs and i had preexsist. chronic internal bleeding/mix anemia. I had a pulmonary embolism within the same month.
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Both can be very different for everyone.
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What happened to you is not relevant to this news story. You and Rachel Ray are not the same people. She is an adult who can and will take care of herself, however and whatever she wants to be done will be done.
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Seriously, who p*ssed in your Cheerios? Just attacking just about everyone's comments. Take a chill pill and get a grip! All your aggression could cause a stroke if you don't watch out. Jmho.
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TIA is a mini stroke with no residual
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She should pay more attention to her health on a daily basis.Doctors should be able to diagnose. She needs to slow down and relax.Easier said than done.
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You do not know and have no right or reason to know what she is or is not doing. Being presumptuous only makes you look like an idiot.
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My best wishes for this wonderful lady. I've always admired her work and demeanor. She a star . Do what you need to do for you and get healthy in all ways
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All of you who have responded have been so kind. Kindness is something we need more of. I know that in my life there have been some very bad times that I had to work through.
So, Rachael if you read this just know we are on your side and willing to help in any way.
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I think that Rachael Ray may have had a mini stroke, her mouth is a little crooked....sometimes you don't know when you have these...similar thing happened to me...doctors don't always diagnose these...have to take care of yourself for the most part.
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Yes I totally agree...the left side of her face could be paralyzed it does look crooked causing speech impediments
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Rachael, I love watching your shows. I wish you the best of health and hope everything works out for you.. you don't have to explain whatever you're going through to anyone that's your privacy. Stay strong and hang in there.
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Sounds like she may have MS
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I agree, I have MS and she seems to have the symptoms. She looks swollen that could be steroids.
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Yes I agree or lu Garrett's disease are similar symptoms to Ms.
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Love you ,watched you since 20.00 a day
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Rabbit raging that's disgusting
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It is.
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It's Ragu not raging
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Stop eating the calves. They spend their entire short life in a cage without being able to e to exercise, because if the do, their muscles will no longer be tender enough to be eaten by humans. Atrocious the anguish suffering animals go through to satisfy the humans' palates. People need to stop feeling entitled to take the life of an animal so that they can enjoy veal, a dead part of the calf's body in their plate. Pls read up about the trauma in the calves go through for the pleasure of those who live in low consciousness!
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Rachel please take care of yourself and try very hard to slow down. I know all to well that this is easier done than said Sweetheart. Please let your Hubby take care of you for a while as All Beautiful Women should be. I love and miss seeing your Smiling face everyday. God Bless You and Your Family. Your fan and friend from Michigan 🥰 Leah
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It makes me think of Annette Funicello and all the stories that came out about her drinking and falling and slurring her speech. It turned out she had advanced Muscular Sclerosis, which ultimately contributed to her passing and which often has similar symptoms to alcoholism. If she has a drinking problem, I hope she will seek help. If she has another issue, I pray she can be treated and have a good quality of life.
As a fan, I realize her health and her marriage are none of my business and she’s under no obligation to share anything with the public except her cooking and lifestyle programming.
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I love Rachel but I think the problem may be too much alcohol. I have experience in this and I think she needs help. I hope her husband convinces her to get help but she has to except that she has a problem.
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I can't believe people are saying to leave her alone. When we see something that is affecting her negatively but she's keeping in the closet we have to speak out! Wonder how many lives could have been saved by just a simple comment!
It's as obvious as ever that she has a drinking problem! Swollen face, slurring words, falling and asking her husband to fix her a margarita during (not after) the show!
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I think she should get rid of the hateful husband and get a new life being the energetic cooking person she once was...there certainly are other good fish in the pond that will love her unconditionally ....life is too short to live like this.
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I have always been a huge Rachael Ray fan, always! I've fixed several of her meals and they are fantastic! All I see here, is a woman in her middle 50's, that's probably going through menopause, and the 'lovely' stuff that goes with it, and she could have health issues as well. I'm puffy most days, and lose my balance all the time, it's just some of us don't age as graceful as others. I think she's absolutely beautiful and I love her to pieces!🥰
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If people can see, it looks like she may have had a stroke or something. Her left right of her face is drooping. Maybe she isn't ready to share. She also looks very swollen in the face.Thoughts and prayers going out to Rachael.
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We know getting older is no picnic, I know because I had covid, and I still don't have my strength back and I am PO, see a doctor and get answers, hopefully ,take care Rachael ,I watched your show and was mad because I can't eat the food because I have a rare cancer and have lost some of my small intestines, fat free diet that's me but it's OK
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PAY ATTENTION TO WHO HER HUSBAND IS. A DEDICATED DEMOCRAT BIDEN VOTER WHO HAS STRINGS IN HELLYWOOD. SHE LOOKS LIKE SHES BEEN THROUGH ABUSE AND TORTURE. SHE MARRIED THIS RANDOM MAN OVERNIGHT AT THE HEIGHT OF HER CAREER. SATANISM IS AN EXCHANGE FOR MORE SUCCESS.
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You are crazy
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You are delusional ! Take care of your own husband and lighten up on all the judgment
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I love Rachel since she started from day 1. I just pray that she realize that she needs self care in order to function properly. Many people forget mental health is important too. Praying for the best to you and your family.
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Pray she is fine . Leave her privacy alone- live every day as your last as you know it - life is never predictable! I hope she is fine and heals from whatever can be ailing her.
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As a teacher, just hoping that if you have a job in journalism, you actually know how to write. The grammar is abominable. Hope she reaches out to Cristina Applegate, possibly MS. Get some help darling.
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The grammer in your comment is worse.
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I have MS and it seems like that's what she has? She looks swollen that could be steroids.
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She is an adult, she is smart, she knows how best to handle her personal problems. Leave her alone and let her take care of herself.
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Good idea!💜⚓
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I hope her doctor asked her to have a DEXA scan a lot of women don’t realize they need it. It’s a must.
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Amen!
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I hope someone cares enough to speak up if they ever see you slurring your words in public.
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nothing wrong with fans suggesting a health checkup.fans shouldn't tell her how to live her marriage/life but empathy is a grown-up human response.
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My family has followed your success starting as a waitress way upstate where my uncle ordered the same breakfast daily. Your latest health scare are reminders we are all havé our ups and downs in life. Praying you find strength to keep climbing.
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Really like her. But something is really wrong. Needs to put some things aside . . . . . . . permanently.
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Time, people's age change; menopause does stuff to folk. Bless her for taking care of herself. Not for us to interfere, just pray for her safety (re falls) and thank God for all the selfless years given to Joe public. I have recipe prob if anyone can help me - Error in copied recipe from 2022 (where from?) Meatball sauce has 1 1rt tomato sauce. (I didn't put title) anyone shed light on it please? Recipe: 1lb ground Beef or Pork, contains fennel seeds, nutmeg, red pepper flakess Sauce= Toms, Basil, Garlic, oil in pan with 1Tbspn butter, 2 cloves garlic, 1x14oz can chopped toms, (no added sugar or substitute) ?1 1rt? fresh tom sauce (no additives) Salt, sugar, basil 5 leaves. Not sure what 1 1rt means, obviously my type mistake. Thank you all, God Bless.
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Why are people up here butt about this. She is an intelligent woman she knows how to handle everything and some things are personal not the whole world needs to know everything. How about people respect her privacy and leave her alone cuz you're not going to help anyone's health issue by being like this. So I hope Rachel is doing okay and she's hanging in there and she does what's best for her. But the rest of the world needs to stop being so damn nosy. I get housewives are like this they're nosy involved in everybody's lives because their lives are boring that's why soap operas are so big. I'll leave the woman alone let her be you don't need to know everything about everyone's life just cuz they're famous doesn't mean you need to be nosy
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Her dog good is garbage. Look at the ingredients. Vets won't recommend it.
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Side-effects of a clot-shot.
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I hope that she does not have MS
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She's sick. Looks like she's had a stroke. Maybe on steroids. She's done.
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Alcoholism makes you slur and puffy
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Maybe, with more time to spare she could join a gym, get her hair done and sign up for NOOM?
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I’m wondering if she has an autoimmune disorder/disease. I have MS and fall and also slur my words when I’m having an episode. Strangers would prob think I was drunk too. Just a thought. I love her and think for the most part she is a great asset to our battle against hunger in the US.
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If it's on TV, it is subject to criticism. Stating she had "a few bad falls" without explanation is not just her own business. It's a lack of transparency. She shouldn't have said anything.
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She needs to live a privet life with out everything going on blast. How would any of you like to be in spot light 24/7 having to explain a bunch of personal things. She could already know and have already been to a dr’s but she is declining to tell is because its her family’s business and not ours.
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Holy clickbait, batman.
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She looks like she may have had a stroke!
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What’a going on is that she developed a drinking problem over the last couple years. One could see that in her videos.
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So I have always been a HUGE Rachael Ray fan (HELLO, my name is Rachael Mae for Hilton, Ny). This world is so full of.everything. Do what makes YOU happy 😊
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Who cares, she’s a rude bad cook… not chef. She chases the dollar and has no soul.
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Ihegdhelporwayftomthhaddeleweoruk
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It pains me, to see people speculate that Rachel had too much to drink, before going on air. Where is compassion? For all we know, it could be something like a TIA, or a mild stroke that barely affected her. I hope she will be fine. ❤
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Too much wine will add to the fall risk...js She just doesn't look healthy right now! Sorry! 🙏
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She appears to may have had a mild stroke. She admitted to 2 recent falls and i noticed the one side of her mouth is lower than the other side. That also could be the reason she is slurring her words
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She looks terrible, overweight too. It's obvious she isn't doing well. Why all the mystery?
Things happen to everyone in life.
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She is not a very good person, but that hardly matters. She's an adult and should be left alone by the public. She will say what she wants to say, live how she wants to live and no one has the right to publicize what she does or does not do in the privacy of her own home or life.
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suggesting magnetic resonance imaging is hardly impeding on her doings.
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I think joining together two unrelated quotes and jamming them into one misleading headline is a pretty low attempt at clickbait.
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Falls are so scary. Health is fragile.
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A chef that makes dog food and also food for humans … tsk,tsk,tsk… no bueno. Besides her recipes are disgusting. Only people that have limited on taste glands would like her cooking style
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I think it’s clear she’s ill, from personal experiences I’d say she has either Parkinson’s Disease or another neurological disorder
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I was wondering if she has a drinking problem. I had started watching her Italian home renovation show and was disgusted by how she spoke about how she wants things a certain way. Very demanding. Very elite. This is not how i remember her. Like a toddler. And was always drinking wine. Maybe that's why she's falling...
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She should stay out of kitchen for a while stop eating...she looks terrible. I hope everything goes well for her
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She looks and sounds awful and if she doesn't want the questions then either explain or stay off the air until whatever is going on is fixed.
You can't expect people to mind their business when the program/celebrity they are watching Obviously isn't right. It's not nosey to ask questions, it's normal. Useless you'd like the majority of her fans to stop watching. In that case kiss the show goodbye.
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Rachael Ray needs our encouragement. She has certainly offered us her best self through the seasons.
And, yes, as adults we should respect her privacy and stop diagnosing her conditions. Offer Rachael graditude
for the meals she has given us.
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From personal experience I'm afraid she maybe drinking way too much. When I was having issues my face puffed up like hers is. I hope I'm wrong but if not I hope she gets help.
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Or maybe Cushing's syndrome?
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If I had to guess I would guess congestive heart failure due to the edema in her face and labored breathing
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Well, she sure is eating good
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Don't sleep around,, that's my best advice
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It almost looks like she had a stroke. 🙁
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I have always enjoyed Rachel very much, great food, funny, and smart. Plus my dog loves her venison, Lamb, and beef dogfood. Thanks Rachel, get better quick, we need something to eat.
J Giilbert
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Alcoholism
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Rachel is looking horrible.
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Everyone on the internet is an expert doctor all of a sudden lol
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I had a bad fall in 2008, I was 61, I broke my right humerus and my left femur.
I had another bad fall in 2014, I was 67, my left humerus was broken in 5 places.
My balance sucks, so I use a cane. I am 77.
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I demand to know more...?
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Rachael: please lose 50 pounds and you will feel so much better.
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Rachel is having heart failure/ attacks. She needs to be seen by her doctor ASAP!!!
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I think that Rachel is going to have to lose weight. I am 82, still trying to get that extra 20 lbs. off...gotta keep trying.
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I know the problem and unfortunately it is legal. The American government had things right when they tried to make this product illegal long ago. The problem is Alcohol. From the puffy( weight gain) to the slurred speech. I have unfortunately fought the same demon. It's not easy but this woman needs to admit and accept that she needs help. " health problems" is an excuse bc she is NOT ready to accept that she has a problem with drinking
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Good for her
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No that's how she took those several falls as she puts it. Several US more than a couple. Oh boyeee!!!
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Just know I’m praying for your quick recovery, Rachel. Unfortunately, we’ve seen so many vax related injuries in the last 4 years. I hope you find relief and answers.
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Just stop. Vaccines have been around for decades. Stop believing misinformation.
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