Rachael Ray claps back at claims she ‘disappeared’ amid health concerns

Rachael Ray hit back at claims that she “disappeared” amid rising concerns for her health.

“I don’t know what they’re talking about,” the celebrity chef told US Weekly at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash in New York City, when asked about the theories surrounding her whereabouts.

“I work my ass off all the time. And I never left,” she continued. “I just switched over to A+E and new partners, that’s all. But I’ve been working constantly.”

The former Food Network star has been busy traveling between New York City and Italy for her shows, “Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes” and “Rachael Ray in Tuscany,” after launching Free Food Studios — which is partly owned by A+E Networks.

“We have the living kitchen in two countries, and we have four talents that we love to produce, and we’re adding a fifth one next year,” she explained. “I feel extremely fortunate.”

The chef also noted that she has been spending her time writing “around the clock” since leaving her eponymous daytime show in 2023 after 17 seasons.

“And I produce shows with my friends around the clock,” she added.

Ray expressed confusion over rumors that she has been “off the radar.”

“I don’t know why people thought I left. I guess we did a crap job of promoting [the shows],” she said, laughing.

The TV personality, 57, explained that all of her projects are on YouTube and Hulu.

“It’s just that they rotate. One puts it up first, and then the other partner takes it, and then the other partner takes it, so it’s not a constant on each thing,” she said.

“But I never left. I kept working. I guess people just got lost on how to find us, but I never stopped working.”

The “Rachael Ray Show” alum sparked health concerns in October 2024 when she appeared to slur her speech during a cooking video.

Days later, she explained in an episode of her “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” podcast that she had suffered a couple of “bad falls.” She did not share any further updates on her health at the time.

In May 2025, she slurred her speech in another cooking video. Just two months later, she raised more concern amongst fans when she attended an event for her gin brand and allegedly exhibited “bizarre behavior.”

However, things seemed to be business as usual for Ray this month at the Burger Bash event on Oct. 17. That same day, she hosted an event for her Staple Gin, where she posed for fun photos with her co-host, Brooklyn Beckham.

She also filmed an interview on the “Drew Barrymore Show” last Wednesday, where she appeared happy and healthy.