Rachael Ray, 57, Breaks Her Silence on Reported Disappearance and Health Concerns

After months of speculation about a sudden absence from the spotlight, the 57-year-old TV chef and media personality has responded to rumors.

Rachael Ray is pushing back against swirling speculation over her sudden absence from the spotlight, firmly insisting she hasn't disappeared at all.

Ray broke her silence during an interview with Us Weekly at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival's Burger Bash on October 17, 2025, putting months of whispers and wild theories to rest.

Online chatter in recent months has painted Ray as having gone "off the radar," with fans calling her public sightings "rare" and raising concerns about her health and well-being. But Ray brushed off the rumors, pointing instead to a jam-packed schedule of professional projects.

Since ending her long-running daytime talk show in 2023, Ray has turned her attention to Free Food Studios, the production company she launched shortly after the show wrapped. In 2024, she struck a major deal with A+E Networks, which acquired a 50 percent stake in the company.

That partnership led to the launch of two brand-new series: "Rachael Ray's Meals in Minutes" — now already in its third season — and "Rachael Ray in Tuscany." The agreement includes 110 new episodes, featuring Ray and other chefs under the Free Food Studios banner.

Ray explained that she now works between her homes in upstate New York and Tuscany, where she films with a small crew and offers a more intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into her everyday life.

Her shift to digital and streaming platforms has likely fueled confusion about her visibility. Ray explained:

"I work my a-- off all the time. And I never left. I just switched over to A+E and new partners, that's all. But I've been working constantly. From the time I left the daytime show, I started writing. I write around the clock, and I produce shows with my friends around the clock."

She added, "So I don't know why people thought I left." Ray suggested that the lack of promotional visibility may have helped fuel the false perception.

Ray maintains a highly visible online presence, frequently sharing home cooking clips, podcast appearances, food festival moments, and playful updates featuring her dog Bella.

She explained that her shows, along with other Free Food Studios productions, are all available on YouTube, Hulu, and FYI, though rotating episodes across platforms may make it harder for some viewers to find them consistently.

Separately, Ray addressed her absence from other chefs’ events, noting that her own schedule is already overflowing. During the festival weekend alone, she participated in a fundraiser for Ukraine, appeared at Burger Bash, and had another major event lined up for Sunday.

She added that she sees many of her fellow chefs throughout the year, so skipping a few events during the festival doesn't feel like a missed opportunity.

Ray also clarified another issue that frequently surfaces online: whether she's still married. She confirmed she is, sharing that she and her husband, musician John Cusimano, 58, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in Italy.

Cusimano continues to appear on her shows, making cocktails, while Ray's sister, Maria Betar, joins in to bake.

Ray described the recent private celebration, a music-filled dinner party she affectionately called a "hootenanny," where Cusimano and his musician friends played bluegrass covers of rock songs while she cooked for their guests using ingredients supplied by their television network contacts.

Despite Ray's efforts to set the record straight and her clearly visible activity, speculation about her health and behavior continues to bubble up in the media. In fact, two separate reports from the Daily Mail this year helped fan the flames of public curiosity and concern.

According to the publication on October 20, eyewitnesses at a public event claimed that Ray appeared "off" while co-hosting on stage with Brooklyn Beckham.

One attendee said Beckham looked visibly uncomfortable and claimed that Ray took the lead on stage, making casual remarks about his name and referencing the New York City borough. She also allegedly made several "odd comments" during the appearance.

The attendee also reported that Ray jokingly referred to the judging panel as "cuckoo-pants" and explained her speech by saying she had a "bum wisdom tooth," which she allegedly claimed was why she sounded the way she did.

Five months earlier, in May 2025, the same outlet published comments from an unnamed source who expressed concern over Ray's condition.

That source claimed she had become increasingly withdrawn, avoided contact with others, and no longer maintained the same attention to her appearance that she once did. The source described the change as "indicative of a bigger issue."

In another video, shared for Mother's Day early this year, Ray also prompted discussion about her well-being after fans expressed concern over her appearance.

She shared a heartfelt tribute to her mother, reflecting on the life lessons she learned during her early years in New York. However, viewers were quick to voice concern, describing her demeanor as alarming, with some saying she appeared sluggish and was slurring her speech.

In the Instagram post, Ray wrote, "My mom taught me a lot more than how to cook. She showed me how to make something outta nothing—and how to do it with love. Whether it was dinner on the table or how to pick yourself up when things got tough… she just had it."

She concluded the post with, "Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, mother figures, and caretakers out there—this one's for you. What's one thing your mom passed down to you that stuck? A dish, a lesson, a way of living? Please share it with me in the comments below."

Ray shared the message alongside a video where she looked back on her tough start in New York City. "When I lived in New York as a very young woman, I was very, very poor," she explained. "And I didn't want to bother my mother. I didn't want her to feel scared for me. So I would never ask for money. And I didn't have any."

She further explained, "Eventually I did a show called $40 a Day," referring to her early 2000s Food Network program. "And that was my budget for a whole week. I would buy a week's food, and I only had $40."

Ray also highlighted how her upbringing taught her to make the most of a limited budget. "I always felt so grateful that I came from people that taught me how to buy dry beans, a few vegetables, very little protein, and to live on that for a long time," she said. "And I am deeply grateful for it. It has changed the course of my life. It's made my life what it is."

Despite the positive tone of her message, many fans focused on Ray's physical appearance and the way she spoke. Comments poured in, with some viewers expressing alarm.

One person wrote, "Rachel. Are you okay? You don't look well [sic]." Another commented, "OMG WAS HAPPENED TO RACHEL [sic]," while someone else speculated, "looks like she is on steroids for some condition [sic]."

Several followers voiced shock at her appearance. "You look like you're homeless," wrote one, while another fan noted, "My goodness she looks ill [sic]."

However, not all the reactions were harsh — some fans rushed to defend Ray."Guys, it's documented that's she's had personal struggles. Health is a gift, let's be kind or silent. We never know what people are going through [sic]," one person commented.

Another fan emphasized that aging and illness can strike anyone, and said they hoped those judging her never end up in the same position. The commenter urged others to show respect for Ray, who they described as "humble" and "kind."

A supportive comment read, "Rachel is showing where she is now .. at this stage .. and women are allowed to do that [sic]."

Another individual shared frustration over the wave of critical remarks, calling it disheartening to see so many adults fixated on Ray's appearance instead of offering support.

They recalled watching her cooking shows with their older children and said they hoped she was doing well, urging others to show more kindness and compassion.