Latest news with #Ray
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Rachael Ray says she's ‘truly shaken' after learning of Anne Burrell's unexpected death
Rachael Ray is paying tribute to her former co-host, Anne Burrell. The 56-year-old culinary star, best known for her Emmy-winning syndicated talk show 'Rachael Ray,' spent four seasons as Burrell's co-host on Food Network's hit show 'Worst Cooks In America.' Burrell, who hosted the show from 2010 to 2024, died on June 17, according to CNN. She was 55. 'The news about Anne has truly shaken us. John and I are heartbroken,' Ray wrote on behalf of her and her husband, John Cusimano, in a June 18 Instagram post. 'I can't quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon,' she continued alongside several photos of the former co-hosts. Ray made her debut on 'Worst Cooks In America' in 2015 for the first celebrity edition of the show. Burrell's team won that season, but Ray returned to the show for three straight seasons in 2016 and 2017 — and her team was crowned the winner in two of those seasons (9 and 10). The two friends split a 2-2 tie in the four seasons they competed against each other. 'Anne was a rockstar!' Ray said of Burrell. 'I came to know her well through multiple seasons of Worst Cooks on Food Network, and she became so much more than a colleague.' 'Despite being surrounded by incredible chefs, she never once made me feel self-conscious about not being one — she always treated me as one of the gang,' she added. Ray went on to remember all the 'incredible laughs' they shared and Burrell's 'great taste in music.' 'I'll never forget walking into our dressing rooms at Food Network studios early in the morning and hearing her blasting the song of the moment down the hall,' she wrote. 'She was a force in the kitchen, in any room, in every life she touched,' Ray continued. Elsewhere in her social media tribute, Ray reflected on one of her fondest memories with Burrell. 'Anne honored me by asking me to be her bridesmaid, something I'd only done once before for my sister,' Ray wrote of Burrell and her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021. 'She even cooked for me and my guests at my wedding anniversary in Italy,' Ray added of Burrell. Burrell's family confirmed the culinary star's death in a June 17 statement shared by People. 'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,' her family wrote. 'Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.' According to TMZ, Claxton 'found her unresponsive and lying on the floor of their shower' before calling 911. She was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after. 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family added in the statement. Many of her Food Network colleagues and fellow culinary superstars took to social media to honor her legacy. One Food Network spokesperson praised Burrell for 'teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring,' according to Today. Fellow culinary star Robert Irvine took to X to describe her as 'generous and supportive.' 'Anne wasn't just a fiery chef. She was a radiant spirit who lit up every room she entered,' he wrote. 'From the very beginning on Worst Cooks in America, our friendly rivalry was fueled by mutual respect.' Another one of her 'Worst Cooks' rivals, Tyler Florence, reflected on his time spent with Burrell. 'No one was funnier. She was Mensa smart with razor wit and sincere kindness,' he said of Burrell in a June 17 Instagram post. 'She was recognized everywhere. The city loved her.' Burrell is survived by her husband, his son Javier, her mother (Marlene), sister (Jane) and brother (Ben).
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Rachael Ray, Anne Burrell's bridesmaid, remembers Food Network star
Food Network star and celebrity chef Anne Burrell's death has saddened her fans, friends and peers, including Burrell's own bridesmaid Rachael Ray, who is mourning the loss of her close friend. The TV personality and former "Rachel Ray Show" host took to social media one day after Burrell's July 17 death to tell fans that "the news about Anne has truly shaken us," adding that her husband "John (Cusimano) and I are heartbroken." Ray was a bridesmaid during Burrell's 2021 fall-themed wedding to Stuart Claxton. The celebrity chef expressed that she "can't quite believe" the news and praised her friend in the post. She called Burrell "a strong, vibrant, fearless woman," who was "so full of life and love" and "gone so soon." Burrell, known for her buoyant personality on numerous Food Network appearances including as host of "Worst Cooks," died earlier this week at her home in New York, the Food Network confirmed. A cause was not disclosed and is currently under investigation by the city's Office of the Medical Examiner. The "Worst Cooks in America" franchise star's sudden death sent shockwaves through the tight-knit culinary fan community and shook her fellow celebrities including Bobby Flay, Gigi Hadid, Tyler Florence and Carla Hall. "Anne was a rockstar! I came to know her well through multiple seasons of 'Worst Cooks' on Food Network, and she became so much more than a colleague," Ray wrote. "Anne honored me by asking me to be her bridesmaid, something I'd only done once before for my sister." Ray, who is not a trained chef, said that "despite being surrounded by incredible chefs, she never once made me feel self-conscious about not being one — she always treated me as one of the gang." "When we hosted Worst Cooks together, we had the most incredible laughs. She even cooked for me and my guests at my wedding anniversary in Italy," Ray said. "I'll never forget walking into our dressing rooms at Food Network studios early in the morning and hearing her blasting the song of the moment down the hall." Ray concluded the caption: "I'll miss her friendship deeply. Everyone whose life she touched will miss her. Sending love to Stuart and everyone who knew and loved Anne. We've lost someone truly special." Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Kelly Lawler
Cosmopolitan
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
'A victim of greed': Bereaved sisters pay tribute to ‘hero' brother who died in the Grenfell Tower fire
On 14 June 2017, a fire broke out in a kitchen at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, London. It spread at an unprecedented rate, engulfing the 24-storey building and raging for 60 hours as the fire brigade battled to control it. As a result of the 'decades of failure' (uncovered in the seven-year-long inquiry that followed), 72 people heartbreakingly died in Grenfell Tower, with 70 others left injured. Now, a new Netflix documentary examines the factors which led to the fire at Grenfell, as well as paying its respects to those that passed away, speaking to families to hear their stories. One such story on Grenfell: Uncovered is that of Raymond 'Moses' Bernard, who died fighting to protect the other residents amidst the inferno. The 63-year-old grandfather was well-known to the Grenfell community, having lived in the tower block for 30 years. He was beloved around West London in general, his family say, having moved to the UK from the Caribbean in the 1960s, when he was just 16. 'He was known as a sound man,' Ray's sister Jackie recalls to Cosmopolitan UK. 'He went to all the clubs to play Soca music and reggae. He was well-known around Carnival.' 'Ray was a real gentle soul,' agrees younger sister Bernie. 'He was widely known for his generosity and for always putting other people first. 'He had a reputation for being a protector.' While Ray, who lived on the 24th floor of Grenfell, saw the tower block as its home, it didn't mean his flat was without its faults. Bernie, who visited Ray often and also considered Grenfell to be a home from home, said Ray's flat had a leak in its ceiling. However, when Ray (or Bernie, calling on Ray's behalf) complained to the Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, who supervised Grenfell at the time, Bernie explains he was treated 'like an irritation'. 'They were often extremely rude,' Bernie recalls, 'Or they'd tell you they'd get back to you, but more often than not, they didn't. They weren't there to help. In my opinion, they completely forgot their role.' It was particularly worrying, as Ray became less able-bodied as he got older, with his severe arthritis meaning he sometimes walked with a stick. On the night of the fire itself, Bernie wasn't immediately concerned about Ray's safety. She had been called by a friend who lived nearby, who alerted her to the incident. 'It was a big concrete block,' she says. 'There had been fires in the past at Grenfell that had always been contained. So when I first got the call asking whether Ray was home, I wasn't concerned at all. In the UK, your home is meant to be a safe place. I didn't have any idea what was going to transpire. 'I knew something was wrong when my friend rang again and I heard the panic in her voice. When I turned on the TV, I couldn't believe what I was seeing – but I kept telling myself Ray was going to be okay.' However, as part of a refurbishment of the Grenfell Tower block in 2016, the exterior of the building had been clad in an aluminium composite material (ACM) with polyethylene (PE) at its core. PE is highly flammable, which led to the quick spread of the fire. Residents were also not told to evacuate Grenfell; at the time, high-rise buildings in the UK had a 'stay put' policy, as fires were thought to be able to be contained in individual flats. It was a survivor of the Grenfell fire that informed Bernie and Jackie of Ray's bravery on the night of the blaze. While people were standing in hallways, as smoke flooded into their flats, Ray helped those looking for shelter and allowed them into his home which was less impacted at that time. As the smoke started to infiltrate, he let the women and children take refuge in his bedroom, while he kept trying to keep people safe. 'She wanted us to know that Ray was doing everything he possibly could to stop the fire from entering his apartment,' Bernie says, biting back tears. It was thought Ray died by the inhalation of toxic smoke. His body, which was identified via dental records, was found at the foot of his bed, while others found there were huddled on the bed. 'We know that he was the kind of person who would have done everything he could to ease the suffering of the people in his apartment,' Jackie says. It was testament to Ray's character, Bernie adds, that the last conversation she ever had with her older brother was about their mother, who was sick at the time. 'He basically said that our mum was his queen, and we needed to do whatever we can to look after her,' she recalls. 'Our mum passed just a few months after Grenfell. We think she died of a broken heart, as Ray was the favourite son.' Despite the Grenfell Tower inquiry finding a catalogue of failure and errors from the UK government and building authorities, there have been no criminal charges made at the time of writing. While the inquiry's 1700-page report suggested a number of recommendations to be implemented, for Bernie, nowhere near enough has been done to honour those who died in the fire, or for those families left to mourn them. 'For me, nothing's really changed,' she says. 'How could this have happened in the UK? There's still buildings with that cladding on it, and no-one has taken responsibility. The inquiry just showed everyone passing the buck.' Earlier this year, the government announced plans to demolish Grenfell Tower – however, not everyone necessarily wants the building to be removed entirely as it acts as a second memorial site to those who died. 'I understand that the tower has to come down,' Bernie says. 'We need to have a place where we can go to grieve the people that were cremated in that building.' Now, with eight years having passed since Grenfell, both Bernie and Jackie want Ray to be remembered for the hero that he was – but also that his death was entirely avoidable. 'He was a beautiful person,' Jackie says. 'He was caring, loving and giving.' Bernie adds: 'We also want him to be remembered as being a victim of greed, corruption, and dishonesty.' In a statement to Cosmopolitan UK, the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation said: 'We are acutely conscious of the terrible impact that this tragedy has had on the bereaved, the survivors, their relatives, and the broader Grenfell Tower community. We accept that the TMO contributed to this and we are deeply sorry. 'We continue to offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to all those affected. 'We sincerely hope that the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry will lead to safer homes for all those in social housing.' The KCTMO relinquished its role as a housing provider in February 2018 to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It now exists for the sole purpose of supporting the public inquiry and all other legal proceedings resulting from the Grenfell Tower tragedy. There are no staff currently in place who were employed at the time of the tragedy. Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper's Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Gantung' reboot impresses
REMAKES often disappoint viewers, especially those featuring iconic characters and actors. 'Gantung: Musketeer Code', fortunately, defies this trend. Based on the 2018 series 'Gantung' (adapted from Nadia Khan's novel), it largely retains its original protagonists. The replacement actor is just as good, if not more "macho" than his predecessor. Make no mistake, while Indonesian heart-throb Randy Pangalila did great as the moody young man Gibbs, his successor Ben Amir's growling voice adds a significantly more "jantan" feel, surpassing many A-list actors. 'Gantung: Musketeer Code' returns to an elite Kuala Lumpur school, where friends Gibbs (Ben Amir), Ray (Ikmal Amry), Troll (Hafreez Adam) and KJ (Brandon Salim) are under suspicion of causing the death of their schoolmate, Ratna (Gita Sucia). They are blamed by many for Ratna's suicide, especially since three of them (excluding Ray) were known to be at odds with her. However, there is more than meets the eye. Despite their common source, viewers can watch the movie independently of the series. Director Nadia's fresh approach tells the story mostly through flashbacks, seen from the perspective of a now-graduated and successful Ray. Ray takes viewers back to the tragic episode at his alma mater wit the help of Farah, who is Gibbs's former girlfriend and a passionate feminist despite her past relationship with a male chauvinist. This movie is the first of Nadia's three 'Gantung' novels, penned over a decade ago, clearly setting up sequels for Ray, Gibbs, KJ and Troll. Nadia's youth-oriented story, a blend of whodunit, horror, and teen soap opera, can be confusing due to its blurred lines between reality, and Ray and Farah's perceptions or past events. Both are traumatised by Ratna's death, with Ray still suffering hallucinations. Nonetheless, these "cool" plot twists enhance the movie's watchability. This time, Ikmal Amry, praised earlier this year for his villainous role in Syafiq Yusof's 'Soloz', plays a hero still grappling with anger and family issues. Such intense characters suit this young actor perfectly. The story effectively anchors itself in Ray's unwavering loyalty to his childhood and college friends, even when they break the law or harm others. Their mutual "Musketeer Code" means they always have each other's backs. Ray acts as their moral compass, constantly trying to stop Gibbs, Troll, and KJ from objectifying women or cyberbullying those who mock them online. Farah is an interesting character due to her contradictory lifestyle, and while Shazia Rozaini is convincing in the role, she needs to show more emotion as her acting can be stiff. The film features important cameos by household names like Datin Sofia Jane, Chew Kin Wah and Sangeeta Krishnasamy as college teachers; Bront Palarae as the deceased Ratna's brother demanding justice; and Amanda Ang as a concerned parent. Taufiq Hanafi returns to a sportsman role, a decade after his acclaimed portrayal of footballer Abu in 'Ola Bola The Movie' and 'Ola Bola The Musical'. Taufiq excels as Sofil, a brash, arrogant basketball player, proving his versatility with both villainous and comedic roles. 'Gantung' is not a simple narrative, rather it explores each character's individual story and personal demons. At its core, it delivers the timeless message of self-honesty and true friendship amidst life's challenges. Friendships will inevitably be tested and experience occasional conflicts, but time and truthfulness ultimately heal them. NOW SHOWING GANTUNG: MUSKETEER CODE DIRECTOR Nadia Khan STARRING Ikmal Amry, Ben Amir, Hafreez Adam, Brandon Salim, Shaziya Rozaini, Gita Sucia, Taufiq Hanafi, Nelissa Nizam, Bront Palarae, Datin Sofia Jane, Chew Kin Wah, Sangeeta Krishnasamy, Sharifah Sofia, Amanda Ang, Anas Ridzuan, Nadiya Nisaa and Siti Saleha Baharom RATING 16
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Still don't quite understand Juneteenth? Under Trump, it'll be harder to learn
Many people are off from work on Thursday for Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and is the newest federal holiday. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when U.S. Army soldiers entered Galveston, Texas, and took control of the former Confederate territory. Though President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it couldn't be implemented in Confederate states. Texas didn't come under U.S. jurisdiction until the Army rolled into Galveston and declared that all slaves in the state were free. Making Juneteenth a federal holiday is recognition of this history and of a day that's long been celebrated by many Black Americans as Freedom Day. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the act that designated June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. It's hard to believe that a similar holiday would be enacted under President Donald Trump. Dismantling anything to do with diversity, equity and inclusion in the federal government is a cornerstone of the Trump administration. Many federal agencies have eliminated or scaled back celebrations of Black History Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Pride and other observances. This attempt to bury or ignore the country's rich history and culture is one of the reasons regular Opinion contributor Justin Ray wanted to write an op-ed about how Black philosophers have not received the acknowledgment they deserve. 'Philosophy interests me because it presents itself as the most neutral, reasoned discipline — yet it has excluded Black voices consistently,' Ray told me. 'That contradiction felt worth unpacking. Especially around Juneteenth, a holiday that marks freedom long delayed.' 'We call him a novelist, an essayist, a social critic. Anything but what he clearly was: a philosopher,' Ray writes in his piece. 'This isn't a coincidence. It's intellectual gatekeeping, and it's robbing Americans of a fuller understanding of wisdom itself.' Ray told me he's interested in the quiet ways power operates — not just through laws or institutions, but through language. 'A Black thinker can publish groundbreaking ideas, influence generations, and win major awards, yet still not be called a philosopher,' Ray said. 'That kind of exclusion isn't just about titles; it's about who gets to be seen as a legitimate authority on truth, freedom and meaning.'
