Paula Deen Page 3

Sleep Well, Tony: James Gandolfini, the actor who took dramatic television performances to a new level as Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, died this week aged 51. Gandolfini won three Emmy Awards for the long-running HBO series and will be sadly missed in both the film and television world.

North, East, South, West: So Kim Kardashian and Kanye didn’t call their kid Kaidence. Phew. You can all breathe a massive sigh of relief now - but make sure you’re sitting down for this one. The girl’s name is North. 

Continue reading: A Week In News: James Gandolfini Dead, Kim And Kanye’s Baby Name, World War Z’s Box Office Success

Paula Deen has been in heaps of trouble over her alleged racist comments recently – from getting dropped by The Food Network, to complications in the discrimination case against her and her brother. However, Deen also has her supporters and she isn’t letting minor incidents like that get her down. On Wednesday, she once again tried to explain her side of the story in a heartfelt (sort of) interview on the Today show – the same Today show she skipped out on last week, due to exhaustion.

Deen is sticking to her story.

This time she made an appearance, though, and what an appearance it was. “I’ve had to hold friends in my arms while they’ve sobbed because they know what’s been said about me is not true and I’m having to comfort them,” she told host Matt Lauer. And if you think those were all of Deen’s tearful revelations, you’d be sorely mistaken, because she went on: “I is what I is and I’m not changing,” she said. “There’s someone evil out there that saw what I worked for and wanted it.”

Continue reading: Belated Today Show Appearance Has Paula Deen Reciting Bible Verses In Her Defense

Celebrity chef Paula Deen was defended yesterday (Tuesday 25th June) by her son Bobby. Bobby said he was 'disgusted by the entire thing.' Paula Deen's contracts with a number of companies, whom she acts as a spokesperson for, have been cancelled after the chef admitted in court that she had, in the past, used racist language. The chef who held a Friday night slot on the Food Network has been dismissed.

Paula Deen with guest appearing at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas 2010. 

Bobby Deen spoke to CNN and used examples of his upbringing to show his mother was not prejudiced. His childhood hero was Hank Aarons, a Black baseball player who had to overcome racial prejudice in order to play.With regards to the 'N' word Paula Deen admitted to using, Bobby said "I abhor it coming from any person. . We weren't raised in a home where that word was used". Paula's past remarks have been dragged up as a result of this scandal. In a 2012 New York Times interview she made some unsavoury comments about a black employee and talked about the impact the abolition of slavery had on her family. Apparently Paula's great-grandfather, following the American Civil War in which he lost his son and his "workers", "went out into his barn and shot himself because he couldn't deal with those kind of changes".

Continue reading: Paula Deen's Son Is "Disgusted" His Mother Is Considered "Racist"

Well if you needed definitive proof that Paula Deen isn’t racist, then it’s arrived in a statement from her sons, Bobby and Jamie Deen. If you’re looking for something a little more impartial, then we’d recommend you look elsewhere, something tells us these guys have a vested interest.

"Neither one of our parents ever taught us to be bigoted toward any other person for any reason," Bobby Deen told CNN's "New Day" in an exclusive interview with Chris Cuomo. "Our mother is one of the most compassionate, good-hearted, empathetic people that you'd ever meet," he added. "These accusations are very hurtful to her, and it's very sad." In a recent court deposition, Deen admitted to calling someone a n*****. And the suit alleges racism in two of her restaurants. "I'm disgusted by the entire thing, because it began as extortion and it has become character assassination," Bobby Deen said. Jamie Deen added: "ridiculous, completely absurd to think there is an environment of racism in our business, and it's really disrespectful to the people that we work with. We have strong, educated men and women of character that have been with us for five, 10, 15, 20 years. To think they would allow themselves to be in this position is simply baloney. It's ridiculous."

There is one hole in the son’s argument that Deen isn’t racist, though: she called a black person a n*****. She may have tried to justify it, but given that SHE CALLED A BLACK PERSON A N*****, it’s pretty difficult to escape the notion that she’s racist.

Continue reading: Paula Deen Isn't Racist... Say Paula Deen's Sons

Paula Deen has been dropped by another major sponsor, Smithfield Ham. A spokesperson for Smithfield Ham announced they would be releasing Deen from her contract. They said "Smithfield condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behaviour of any kind". 

Deen's other sponsors including QVC and Kmart have considered removing her products from their shelves following her remarks. The Food Network dismissed the Southern cook on which she had a Friday show. Deen has taken her dismissal well and has even thanked the network. Another company who use Deen as a spokesperson are pharmaceuticals Novo Nordisk who have decided not to take any action against her.

The cook admitted to using racial slurs in a harassment case against her by one of her former employees. Deen and her brother are accused of verbally abusing an employee and generally having an unacceptable attitude towards Black, Jewish and female employees. The incident has caused controversy as Deen admitted to using such language in the past.   

Continue reading: Paula Deen Continues To Lose Sponsorship But Retains Public Support

When you’re a celebrity chef, and it gets revealed that you called someone a n*****, and apparently stood by while people called a black colleague at your restaurant ‘my little monkey’, you can safely expect your income revenues from high-paying sponsors to dry up, and that’s exactly what’s happening to Paula Deen.

The chef, who is famous for her deep south comfort food, admitted to using the word ‘n*****’ in a court deposition, and since then, allegations have surfaced of more racist behavior from her and those close to her. The Food Network want nothing to do with it, and have cancelled all her shows. In addition the shopping channel QVC has admitted that it has 'concerns over the unfortunate Paula Deen siutaion'. A spokesperson told TMZ that “We are closely monitoring these events and we are reviewing our business relationship with Ms. Deen. In the meantime, we have no immediate plans to have her appear on QVC.”

Digging your way out of something like this is difficult – thankfully we at Contact Music have never had to – but Deen is making every effort to express contrition for her actions. “Inappropriate, hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable,' she said in a 45-second video posted on YouTube designed as an apology 'I've made plenty of mistakes along the way but I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners - I beg for your forgiveness.”

Continue reading: Pauls Deen's World Crumbles Around Her - Sponsors Show Her The Door

It seems Paula Deen’s definition of today is a bit shaky, but she’s making her appearance on a morning talk show, which is better late than never after she dropped out of her appearance on Today on Friday (June 21). The celebrity chef is in damage control mode after causing a stir with her racism.

"She has told us she will be here this time," Today co-host Matt Lauer said on-air Monday morning in announcing Deen would appear on Wednesday’s show instead of the one planned earlier in the week. She will be having a candid conversation with the guys on the show, as was previously planned, about the controversies following her around at the moment. Deen released a video statement on Friday addressing the controversy over her acknowledged use of racist epithets.

“I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong I have done. I want to learn and grow from this,” Deen said in the 45-second video posted on YouTube. “Inappropriate, hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable.”

Continue reading: Paula Deen's Today Might Be Tomorrow, Or The Next Day, But She's Going On

Paula Deen's career looks to be at an un-mendable low, with the TV chef's axing from home shopping network QVC being the final nail in the coffin following the backlash towards her racism scandal. The network are said to be 'monitoring' the situation around Deen and will act in due course to determine whether her contract with the company remains in check or is thrown out. In other words, QVC are going to follow suit and fire Paula just like the Food Network did.

The backlash against Deen began last week when court papers relating to a private interview between Deen and detectives were made public. The documents stem back to a 2012 discrimination case filed against Paula and her brother, Bubba, by former employee Lisa Jackson, who claimed that she was subjected to racial and sexual discrimination throughout her time working for Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House. Deen was in court to hear the charges brought against her last month, where she was questioned by an attorney under oath who ask whether she has used the N-word before, to which she responded, "yes, of course," though she added, "It's been a very long time."

On Friday (June 21), the Food Network announced that it will not be renewing it's contract with Deen, which is due to run out this summer. The announcement came less than an hour after Deen had posted a video apology online in which she begged for forgiveness for her past mistakes and asked for a second chance. The top-comments on her YouTube video seemed to indicate that people were wiling to forgive and forget, however the Food Network - and QVC potentially too - aren't so forgiving.

Continue reading: QVC Exit Spells End Of A TV Career For Paula Deen

Former Food Network mainstay Paula Deen might have cooked up a world of trouble for herself, having recently been dropped by the network in light of her racial slur scandal, but fans have some some strong support brewing. Fans of Paula’s work are ralying around Facebook pages like “We Support Paula Deen,” which currently has over 200 000 likes, according to E!Online. Despite Paula’s use of offensive language and the fact that her defense essentially boils down to the “those were different times” story, her supporters claim that the former host of Paula’s Best Dishes and Paula’s Home Cooking has made amends and should not be punished any further.

One fan wrote on the Facebook page: "Recently Food Network personality Paula Deen has issued an apology for statements that she has made in the past. Let's support her as she moves forward from this time. Paula is a person just like all of us and we all make mistakes." Ms Deen herself apparently holds no grudges with the Food Network and even thanked her former employers at the news of the termination.

"I have had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country and meeting people who have shared with me the most touching and personal stories," Deen, 66, said in a statement released to PEOPLE. "This would not have been possible without the Food Network. Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of ya'll." Well, regardless of whether the pleas of American foodies will soften the hearts of Food Network execs, at least Paula managed to make a graceful exit – or as much as possible, under the circumstances.

Continue reading: Amid Fan Outcry Against Her Firing, Paula Deen Thanks Food Network For The Good Times

Paula Deen will not be returning to the Food Network, the broadcaster said on Friday (June 21), confirming their decision with numerous press outlets. The announcement came just after the celebrity chef posted a video apology online asking for forgiveness from those who took offense to the news that she has used racial slurs in the past.

Deen's fall from kitchen Goddess to KKK poster girl has followed her all week and culminated in the extermination of her contract with the Food Network, and it all stemmed from the leaking of some court documents in which the cook admitted to using the n-word on multiple occasions. Deen was speaking with an attorney questioning her under oath last month who ask whether she has used the N-word before, to which she responded, "yes, of course," though she added, "It's been a very long time."

Continue reading: Paula Deen Given The Boot By The Food Network Following Racism Row

Paula Deen has incurred her first financial casualty from the controversy that has surrounded her following the revelation that she called a black assailant a n****r – the Food Network will not be renewing her contract.

The celebrity chef enjoys three shows on the network, which "does not tolerate any form of discrimination," hence the non-renewal of her contract when it expires next month. With a huge franchise including shows and cookery books, Deen’s revelation in a lawsuit deposition to using the "N word" seems to have landed her in hot water – like the pasta she teaches people how to cook. "I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done," Deen said in the first video statement. "I want to learn and grow from this. Inappropriate and hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable. I've made plenty of mistakes along the way but I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners, I beg for your forgiveness."

"I'm taking this opportunity now that I've pulled myself together and am able to speak to offer an apology to those that I have hurt," she said. "... My family and I are not the kind of people the press are wanting to say we are," she said. "...Your color, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter to me. But it's what's in the heart, and my family and I try to live by that."

Continue reading: Food Network Stop Feeding Paula Deen Following Racism Controversy

Well this doesn’t look good; Paula Deen – who is shrouded in a sea of controversy following the revelation that she had used a racial epithet - didn’t show up for her scheduled Today Show interview… today.

“We had arranged to do an interview with Paula Deen, it had been going on, the discussions about that interview, throughout the day yesterday with her people," Matt Lauer said in the show's opening. "I spoke to her late afternoon on the phone yesterday and we talked about the fact that it would be an open and candid discussion, no holds barred." The holds were in fact barred, though, by her not being there to open them up. "And this morning, although we have not spoken to her -- she has not called us -- her publicity people have told us she's exhausted and will not be showing up," Lauer said. She’s probably just tired from having to make so many excuses for calling someone a n****r. "Well what I would really like is a bunch of little (N-words) to wear long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow ties. Now that would be a true Southern wedding, wouldn't it?" she apparently said, which she denies. She did admit, however, to using the awful word when robbed by a black assailant.

"But that's just not a word that we use as time has gone on," Deen said. "Things have changed since the '60s in the South. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do."

Continue reading: Paula Deen Is No Show For Today Show Amidst Racism Controversy

Racism is bad. It’s a solid no to racism from Contact Music. But coming in a close second is people making excuses for racism and racist remarks. That’s what Paula Deen’s been doing as she tries to dig herself out of the fallout from her foul choice of words.

Last month, the famous chef jeopardized her cookbook by admitting to using the N-word in a videoed court deposition. “During a deposition where she swore to tell the truth, Ms. Deen recounted having used a racial epithet in the past, speaking largely about a time in American history which was quite different than today," a statement said. "She was born 60 years ago when America's South had schools that were segregated, different bathrooms, different restaurants and Americans rode in different parts of the bus. This is not today." See what they did there? “where she swore to tell the truth” – like she was doing the right thing by telling the truth. She’s a great person! She used the N-word when she worked at a bank that was robbed by a black assailant. This was in the 1980s, long after attitudes to race had changed, which isn’t to say racism was ever okay – obviously.

Who thinks that? Deen might. She might. "She is going to have to do some damage control," said Brad Adgate, an analyst for ad firm Horizon Media. "She is going to have to explain herself on camera to viewers and let them decide whether they want to continue to buy her products." Although her franchise shouldn’t be her foremost concern.

Paula Deen might be born and raised in the South, but she wants to make it clear that the racist stereotype doesn’t apply to her. The Food Network lady recently gave a deposition in connection with a lawsuit filed against her by a former employee. The woman claims she was sexually harassed and that she received a slew of racist, sexist and generally inappropriate comments, while she worked at Paula’s Oyster House in Georgia. The deposition, obtained by TMZ, features some questionable passages:

Lawyer: Have you ever used the N-word yourself?

Paula: Yes, of course.

Continue reading: Paula Deen Isn't Racist, According To Paula Deen

Paula Deen's bloopers reel has been released, and shows the TV chef in a totally different light!. Deen is already well-known for her rich, Southern-style food and now, it looks as though she’ll become famous for her saucy language! The video, which was first published by New York Daily News, almost contains more bleeps than words, as the expletives pour from Deen’s potty-mouth.

It’s not just her language that will have viewers’ jaws on the floor, either. At one point, she pretends to fellate a chocolate eclair and declares “my a** ain’t pretty anymore” and in another clip, says to the camera “that’s just about the nastiest meatball I’ve ever tasted.” You may well think that someone had compiled this ungainly collection of clips out of disdain, or malice but in fact the clip originates from Deen herself, the Chicago Tribune reported. It had been created as a “saucy lead-in to her public appearances” apparently, but tour operators were not keen on its content, deciding it was “more fit for a Friars Club roast than a family-themed cooking demonstration.”

The video has already gone viral online and although it may come as a surprise to anyone used to seeing Deen cooking under a controlled TV environment, those who have witnessed her live demos may find themselves un-fazed. She’s known for her racy banter and frequently has her audiences in stitches with her.