Sally Lowenthal, famously known as Sally Jessy Raphael, was a beloved figure on daytime television during the 80s and 90s, but now she’s facing challenges with her recognition among the public.
The former talk show host recently shared on Instagram that her attempts to get her account verified have been unsuccessful, despite providing proof of her identity to the platform.
“Instagram doesn’t want to give me my blue check – no matter what proof I send them,” the 89-year-old expressed, posting alongside a large blue checkmark image. “AND there’s a fake account called ‘realsallyjr’, and that’s NOT ME! Please help me inform Instagram so we can resolve this.”
Raphael kicked off her career with The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, which was later renamed Sally, in October 1983, and she continued to host the show until May 2002.
Her program was one of the pioneering syndicated talk shows that encouraged audience interaction, paving the way for future female hosts, including Oprah, whose show debuted three years later.
Over her 20-season run, Raphael had the opportunity to interview numerous celebrities, but she always regarded Audrey Hepburn as her favorite.
“I was so awestruck, I could hardly ask a question. Everything she did, I admired. Everything she had done in her life I found to be exemplary,” she shared with the DailyMail.
Throughout her career and into retirement, Raphael has consistently showcased a distinctive style that makes her easily recognizable.
When filming for The Sally Jessy Raphael Show began, she discovered she had difficulty reading the teleprompter.
“When we started, I looked at the teleprompter and said, ‘I can’t read that! I’m going blind!’”
While looking for a new prescription, Raphael stumbled upon an unusual advertisement offering an eye test, glasses, and a Pap smear. Despite the odd combination, the talk show host decided to schedule an appointment.
At the appointment, she was informed that she would require a pricier pair of glasses, but the only color available was red.
“Sounds good to me,” Raphael replied.
Little did she know, this choice would lead to unexpected challenges with her show’s producers.
I had to stand my ground to keep the glasses. The producers wanted to alter them, and those mysterious figures opposed everything I proposed.
Since then, she has gathered over 200 pairs of red glasses.
As of August 2, Raphael has fewer than 650 followers on Instagram. While her follower count may not rival that of other talk show hosts, her supporters are just as passionate, if not more so.
“The Icon, the Legend of daytime TV, Ms. Sally Jessy Raphael deserves her Blue Check Mark!”
“It’s surprising that someone as well-known as you is facing challenges with recognition. I’m curious about what the problem is.”
