Famous 90s talk show host unrecognizable — says Instagram won’t verify her account

Sally Jessy Raphael, a famous talk show host from the 80s and 90s, is finding it difficult to get her Instagram account verified. Despite providing proof of her identity, Instagram has refused her verification request.

Sally Jessy Raphael, 89, shared her frustration on Instagram.

She posted, “So, Instagram doesn’t want to give me my blue check – no matter what proof I send them,” alongside a large blue checkmark image. Raphael also pointed out a fake account impersonating her, asking her followers to help notify Instagram to correct the issue.

Raphael hosted “The Sally Jessy Raphael Show” from October 1983 until May 2002. Her show, later known as “Sally,” was among the first syndicated talk shows that involved audience participation. She paved the way for other women in the industry, including Oprah Winfrey, whose show debuted three years after Raphael’s.

During her 20-year career, Raphael interviewed numerous celebrities, with Audrey Hepburn being her favorite. She once said in an interview with the Daily Mail, “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.”

Raphael’s signature look included her distinctive red glasses, a result of needing new prescription glasses early in her career. When she couldn’t see the teleprompter, she went for an eye test and ended up with red glasses because they were the only color available. Despite initial resistance from her producers, she made the red glasses her trademark and has collected over 200 pairs.

As of August 2, Raphael has fewer than 650 followers on Instagram. While her follower count may be low, her fans remain loyal and vocal. Supportive comments include, “The Icon, the Legend of daytime TV, Ms. Sally Jessy Raphael needs her Blue Check Mark ?” and “We should flood your feed with blue hearts it’s so much better than a blue checkmark.”

Fans are expressing their support for Raphael, suggesting various ways to get Instagram’s attention and rectify the situation.

Do you remember watching Sally Jessy Raphael on TV? Share your memories and thoughts in the comments below.