Celebrity chef Paula Deen finds herself in hot water
There have been many news stories brewing about celebrity chef Paula Deen amid reports of her spouting racial slurs some 25 years ago.
Her empire is quickly crumbling like her buttery apple pie crust.
First The Food Network dropped her followed by other giants including Wal-Mart, Smithfield Foods, Caesar's Entertainment, Novo Nordisk, Target, Home Depot, Walgreen's, J.C. Penney, Sears, and Ballantine Books, the publisher of her upcoming cookbook, Paula Deen's New Testament: 250 Favourite Recipes, All Lightened Up, in which pre-sales have rocketed the book to the number one best-selling spot on Amazon.com
In it she says, "I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done. I want to learn and grow from this. This inappropriate and hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable."
In another version she is heard saying, "Your colour of your skin, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter to me -- but what's in the heart, and my family and I try to live by that. I am here to say I am so sorry. I was wrong."
The scandal will cost Paula Deen a lot of dough -- over $10 million, according to reports.
Social networks are abuzz with comments in favor and opposed to the controversy. There are even some posts likening her comments to those of rap music lyrics that use the very same word that got Deen in hot water.
Of all her recipes, this just may be a recipe for disaster.
By Donna Donaldson, MSN Money
What do you think about the Paula Deen controversy? Do you think major companies are right in distancing themselves from the former network star?
Posted by: Don | Jul 3, 2021 2:43:02 PM
25 years ago! Social media is getting to the point of ridiculous when people just jump on bandwagons by reading headlines and ruining people lives over it! Is there anyone out there that hasn't said something stupid, especially in their younger years. We should be grateful that society is more accepting of the differences of their citizens...... not looking to punish someone for something said 25 years ago. If she is still spouting this *hit it is another story but If not she has learned and changed her opinion, which is a good thing. People can change right? I fear we are turning into a non-tolerant society who wishes to punish more than promote a fair society. Are we turning into a bunch of judgemental *ssholes who don't believe in a humans ability to change and grow? Are we so intolerant that we cant believe anyone can change their opinion? If this is indeed what is going on we should all fear for our future. How would you feel if you were put in the situation she is in and incurred these losses over comments made when you were 25 years younger. It is a sad society that feels the need to enact this kind of punishment so far after the fact.
Posted by: Diana | Jul 4, 2021 7:48:18 AM
Get over it people, who hasn't made a mistake or made a comment that they wish that they could take back...Well listen up everyone, you were not put on this earth to judge your fellow person, you were put here to do the best you can each day for yourself and others around you...So drop it and give Paula Deen a break and move on!!
Posted by: Jan | Jul 4, 2021 7:50:11 AM
I am not a great fan of Paula's recipes or products but this "burning at the stake" for something she said 25 years ago is crazy. Is this what we have become as a society, holding everyone to a higher standard than we hold ourselves. If anyone has never said a slur of some kind in their lives whether regarding a class mate, different culture or race I would like to meet them. She may be a complete fraud but I am not going to judge her on something she said 25 years ago in the south where much more serious crimes were the norm. Lets not ignore her comment but let us put it into context of when it was said and where. Understanding and forgivness is the only way!!!
Posted by: Barbara | Jul 4, 2021 8:44:54 AM
Let it go! This is a witch hunt! I am not a big fan but disagree with punishing someone for something said 25 yrs ago! Who dug this dirt up anyway? Be glad you're not a celebrity! Who knows what might come up to haunt you! We all have something!
Posted by: ken warren | Jul 4, 2021 8:47:14 AM
I would not put to much effort into punishing Paula over the STUPID things she said 25 years ago. Leave her alone,Have you seen how she eats & cooks ?? ,she will likely be Dead soon from ALL THE DAMN BUTTER She's ingested anyway.........PUNISHMENT DONE !!!
Posted by: Jeannie Thompson | Jul 4, 2021 9:13:15 AM
Crucifying someone for something they said 25 years ago is as bad as, if not worse, than the original transgression. Times have changed drastically in 25 years and so have people's opinions. TO THE MEDIA, RETAILERS, BOOK PUBLISHERS ETC., your actions are REPREHENSIBLE. Shame, Shame, Shame on you!!!!
Posted by: ET | Jul 4, 2021 9:19:01 AM
What kind of company heads pull Paula Deen's products thinking they are going to lose profit...why don't they look inside of themselves and question their past behavior...why should we as humans waste our time in being judgmental of others....when we are put on this earth for a limited time..why not enjoy and let others do the same.....we are talking about 25 years ago...Get a Life!!!! We all have skeletons in our closet(who hasn't?)and we will be judged by our Creator not mortal human beings....I fear for those who make their dollar on ruining other people's lives and digging up malicious news(???)
Posted by: Wendy | Jul 4, 2021 9:52:17 AM
Seriously people... who gives a *hit. I think Paula's made enough money to retire quite comfortably on. What's another couple of million give or take. I dont care if she said it yesterday.. or 25 years ago - nor should she. She's made enough money to tell everyone to go ....... themselves.
Posted by: Jennifer Giel | Jul 4, 2021 10:27:26 AM
25 YEARS AGO !!!!! Why just now? Who is out to ruin her life, or at least cast enough aspersions on her to cause suffering and aggravation? What mean- spirited hypocrisy? " Let he/she who is without sin cast the first stone" ... so said the Lord to Mary Magdalene's accusers .... and not seeing any step forward, He continued "Your sins are forgiven .. Go, and sin no more". All those 'executive' types in their glass houses should beware the consequences of 'knee-jerk' reactions. We, the Public , have long memories. Perhaps a crash course in self examination of conscience is in order in the board rooms of the World.
Posted by: J Gangloff | Jul 4, 2021 3:13:22 PM
I certainly would not stop purchasing anything put out by Paula Deen and the companies sponsoring her because of something she said 25 years ago. Why bring this up now anyways? I've said stuff I maybe shouldn't have, and I imagine there are very few people who haven't. This has gone way too far.
Posted by: Patrick | Jul 5, 2021 3:12:42 PM
How far is this "political correctness" bs. going to go. I'm sick and tired of the whole bag of dirt that is being used today to judge everyone. Twenty five years ago was a different world and political climate. If someone doesn't approve of what I say--so what, don't read or listen to me. Hanging someone out to dry for remarks supposedly to have been said years ago shows that someone has an axe to grind and is using the written media in which to do their dirty work. Probably someone jealous of Paulas' success. I would have thought the companies that have distanced themselves would have more sense but I guess the same small minds that dug up the "dirt" must be on the same wavelength as those companies.
Posted by: Canadianlady | Jul 9, 2021 9:13:51 PM
The companies that abandoned Paula Dean are cowards and hypocrites. She was lynched by the corrupt media r*ce baiters, who are doing everything they can to incite a r*ce war.
Posted by: Lori-Boz | Jul 26, 2021 8:14:20 PM
I put my statement on FB and Pinterest. So I won't put much again other than to agree with by far the majority of respondents . Don't feed me this CRAP that you have a clear past and everything that you have done is something that you would put on a resume and be proud of. Cut this garbage of "political correctness" and self-made judges of humanity.
Please don't teach your children your crucifying ways. It does happen as I am a teacher and I have heard many young students come out with statements that echo their IDIOT parents.
Paula D. made a mistake - along time ago-and is sorry for it! I forgive you as I hope that you would forgive should I share all of my mistakes.
Please stop these awful judgemental habits and by means of hard work, become forgiving and non-judgemental human being. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: JL | Aug 4, 2021 10:19:10 PM
I think this is despicable. My god, if some things got out about people I dated in the 60 and 70 their careers would be ruined, I guess.
Racial slurs are something we grew up with. We called a certain kind of nut niggertoes, and the black licorice niggerbabies. No one thought anything about it. Racism never came to my mind or my parents.
It was just the time and everyone being ignorant.
They even had Little Black Sambo songs you sang to where he runs around a tree so many times he turns to maple syrup.
Stupid, yeah, nieve, maybe. Even in great falls montana they had a restaurand with a little black boy on the marquee saying Little Black Sambos Restaurant, and everyone went there for their pancakes.
To kill someones identity, their life, their families life, her career (I dont even know who she is) is so despicable.
FELLOW EARTHLINGS, LOOK INTO YOUR PAST, YOUR FAMILES PAST AND MAYBE JUST MAYBE SOME JOURNALIST WILL FIND OUT WHAT YOU DID AND RUIN YOUR LIFE.
JUDGE LEST YOU BE JUDGED.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU. I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE CRINGING IN THEIR SEATS OVER WHAT THEY OR FAMILIES DID 25 YEARS AGO.!!!!
And to you journalists, go find the cure for cancer, poverty etc instead of focusing on ruining someones life. Maybe focus your attentions more on government. NOW THEY ARE THE CROOKED ONES.
Posted by: donna mclean | Aug 6, 2021 8:31:10 PM
what the hell is the matter with everyone. i wonder how many black people have made remarks about us whities. who cares . people just have to get into all the b.s.and it goes on and on and on and on.have all these people nothing better to do than worry about what paula dean said. or maybe they are jealous of her and her lifestyle. GET A LIFE PEOPLE.
Posted by: Only Human | Aug 13, 2021 2:01:24 PM
Paula, tell 'em all to kiss your ass.
If Nike can continue to support a douche bag like Tiger Woods after what that manwhore did, you are no more required to repeatedly apologize to the world than he. Stop caving in to the media fleas who are using you to fill their magazines or airtime and get on with your life, you are entitled.
Posted by: Rob | Aug 13, 2021 3:09:23 PM
I think the media and some other folk should just go about thier own buissines,whats happening now not 25 years ago-get a real life--
Posted by: Terry | Aug 14, 2021 10:53:05 AM
I think it is criminal what people are doing to or saying about Paula. Leave the poor lady alone and let her carry on as before. I think she is a wonderful person. Let it rest people.
Posted by: joj | Aug 16, 2021 3:25:06 PM
damn niggers
Posted by: Toodles | Aug 21, 2021 4:10:05 AM
This is totally ridiculous! I am sure that there's more celebs who have done the same thing but just haven't been caught. Paula has already apologized and shouldn't we as people forgive her and allow her to live the life she so deserves.
Like Jesus said: 'You without sin, cast the first stone' If we would admit it, some people in this world are worse than Paula Deen, and have done or said much worse. Let's forgive this woman and move on! Walk in her shoes and know how bad she feels. Enough is enough!
Posted by: sheila | Aug 21, 2021 8:38:36 AM
I think Paula is great it`s like alot of people said get a life everyone it`s been 25 years check Paula someone is after your bank account or jealous of you. I have already started boycotting alot of stores who let you go their tough luck. How many times does she have to grovel on the floor to say she is sorry. I fyou listen to all the rap garbage they say it plenty and they put women down nobody is jumping on them.
Posted by: Sophia | Aug 23, 2021 8:32:13 AM
The woman has made enough moolah and lied so long about having diabetis and still putting out that uber fatty fried souther food. She was "outed" then and cried and cried and now she's outed again and cried and cried (with no tears). I agree the 2nd boo hoo was 25 yrs. ago. O.K. great - time to retire though.
Posted by: Hans | Sep 4, 2021 10:51:29 AM
what the hell ? is this a joke , some people get away with murder and it's forgotten very quickly . Why dig up some silly past from 25 years ago