Rachael Ray took to Instagram with content from her “Rachael Ray In Tuscany” series earlier this week as she showed viewers how to make Tony Bennett’s favorite dish. While making the Ossobuco, braised veal shanks with polenta and bread, she recalled how Tony had an accident that nearly killed him at her house.
Although Ray’s story was quite interesting, as she narrated how Tony hit his head on her marble counter while trying to settle down for starter snacks and apertivo, fans were more concerned about her slurring as she spoke.
Fans react to Rachael Ray’s slurring speech
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Ray recounted how scared she was but ended up calling Tony’s wife, Susan, who asked her to be calm and let him be. Thankfully, the singer got up and had dinner, which was so delicious that he ate double portions. As Ray spoke, fans could not get her slurring out of their heads and took to the comments to relay their concerns.
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Someone asked if she was in a bit of trouble, while another simply assumed Ray was just trying to hold back tears while talking about her late friend. “Maybe she’s just emotional telling a story about a friend who passed away,” they wrote. “What the heck is wrong with her? Messy hair, slurring words….wow just wow,” another exclaimed.
Supporters defend Ray from critics
A handful of Ray’s supporters could not tolerate the criticisms and moved to defend her from internet trolls. “God you people are rude!!!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and food today,” a fan told Ray. “…No need to be mean,” another advised.
Someone else denied picking up on any slurring, noting that all they hear is compassion in her voice. “She’s a good person and her vibes are good,” they added. More speculations such as a stroke, her looking stressed without makeup, recovering from an illness, or being drunk became a topic for discussion among social media users.