CELEBRITY chef Rachael Ray has vowed to be honest on her new podcast after she sparked health concerns earlier this year.
The 56-year-old New York-based chef announced her first podcast, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, on Tuesday, October 15.
The all-new podcast by the famous chef focuses on “what fuels us — our drive, resilience, and how we face life’s challenges.”
Across the podcast series, Rachael will have some deep conversations with celebrities, chefs, artists, musicians, and other familiar faces, and according to the description “no topic [is] off-limits”.
The announcement of Rachael’s podcast noted that the new audio series would explore “the highs and lows of hard work, sharing raw, honest stories.”
Rachael told PEOPLE: “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (quite literally!) is about life’s journeys and what keeps us going.”
“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.”
The first episode of Rachael’s new podcast will air and stream on October 22 with Jenny Mollen as her first guest.
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead’s second episode on October 29 will feature The Morning Show star Billy Crudup.
FEARS FOR RACHAEL
This comes a month after Rachael sparked health concerns when she shared troubling Instagram videos.
According to worried fans, the celebrity chef appeared to slur her words in a preview for an episode of Rachael Ray in Tuscany.
Rachael Ray fans beg ‘are you ok’ as they ‘didn’t recognize’ famous chef during latest cooking video
In the video, Rachael paid tribute to legendary singer Tony Bennett by sharing the recipe for his favorite dish.
She recalled the time Tony came to Rachael’s house for dinner with his wife Susan Benedetto.
SLURRED SPEECH?
Reacting to the clip of Rachael recalling her memories of the late singer, one fan commented they were “seriously concerned” about the chef.
Some fans even noted that her speech sounded “slurred” in parts of the video.
“She got emotional talking about her friend is all,” another Instagram user said.
Rachael Ray Television Shows
Rachael Ray has been on TV since 2001, cooking up recipes and working with other celebrity chefs. Here are the TV programs that she has hosted
30 Minutes Meals – 2001 to 2012, Food Network
Rachael Ray – talk show, 2006 to 2023, ABC Network
Rachael’s Vacation – 2008, Food Network, five-part mini-series
Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day – reality TV cooking show, 2010, Food Network
Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off – co-hosted with Guy Fieri, 2012, Food Network
Rachael Ray in Tuscany – 2024 to present, USA Network
While someone else said, “She’s aging like the rest of us. Maybe she has a medical condition, maybe she is on medication. Regardless, no need to be mean.”
This wasn’t the first time Rachael’s fans were concerned for her, because back in the summer some said they “hardly recognized her” in a TikTok video.
“OMG, I didn’t realize it was her,” another comment read. “She looks so different now.”
CANCER SCARE
Rachael, whose popular show aired from 2006 until 2023, previously had a throat cancer scare in 2008.
A representative for Rachael dismissed the reports while confirming she underwent “minor surgery” for a benign cyst on her vocal cord.
At the time, her rep told PEOPLE, “Rachael is the picture of health.
“It’s a common in-and-out procedure that she will have in early December and it will not adversely affect any of her daytime show or Food Network tapings.
“[Rachael’s] totally fine. It’s just something she needs to take care of. She hasn’t been feeling ill.”
