Celebrity chef Paula Deen is in quite a pickle, y’all.
Earlier this week, the National Enquirer claimed that Deen admitted in court to using racial slurs and wanting black employees to portray slaves in a wedding. And this morning, she canceled a scheduled “Today” show interview, much to Al Roker and Matt Lauer’s disappointment. Her publicist claimed “exhaustion” was responsible, but it looks like Deen might’ve been at work on something else.
This morning, she announced via Twitter that she will be releasing a video statement:
Video statement to follow shortly http://t.co/Te2yWwhPzG .
— Paula Deen (@Paula_Deen) June 21, 2013
Naturally, speculation about the statement is high:
.@Paula_Deen story gets stranger. She backed out of a Today Show int'v today, citing exhaustion. Now says she'll make video statement soon.
— Matthew T. Hall ??✊ (@SDuncovered) June 21, 2013
Does it include any uses of the n-word? RT @paula_deen: I will be releasing a video statement shortly.
— Slate (@Slate) June 21, 2013
https://twitter.com/K3hlly/status/348121360486252544
I hope @Paula_Deen is doing the "Julia Roberts 9/11 fundraiser" cry in her apology video.
— barefoot momma (@barefoot_momma) June 21, 2013
Paula Deen will now release a statement explaining her hatred of blacks and also how to butter and bake a donut-stuffed turkey.
— Brian McWilliams (@BrianMcWilliams) June 21, 2013
https://twitter.com/brittanyschray/status/348121315720441856
#PaulaDeenApologyBingo has even broken out:
https://twitter.com/OvaDose_/status/348124479249055745
'i have lots of black friends/friends of all races' #PaulaDeenApologyBingo
— tracy jumps to put jeans on (@brokeymcpoverty) June 21, 2013
Recommended
https://twitter.com/emptychampagne/status/348110926274248705
I just grabbed my purse tighter because I forgot how soft this leather was. #PaulaDeenApologyBingo
— In Search Of….?? (@Jocklaflair) June 21, 2013
I know all the words to that Will Smith hippity hop song #PaulaDeenApologyBingo
— Juan S. Robles ?? (@JuanSRobles_) June 21, 2013
https://twitter.com/emptychampagne/status/348108746955837440
https://twitter.com/CplxSimplicity/status/348111498905796608
Former Reuters social media editor Matthew Keys notes an interesting change at Deen’s website:
This photo was posted to Paula Deen's website 40 minutes ago – http://t.co/ewkIpWusih pic.twitter.com/rO3Wh6arhe
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) June 21, 2013
This was the photo Paula Deen used on her schedule page before replacing it – http://t.co/kfijWXLowe pic.twitter.com/hxZk5EYGvW
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) June 21, 2013
Hmmm.
We will, of course, continue to monitor Deen’s feed and bring her statement to you once it’s been released.
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Update:
The video has been posted at last. In her brief statement, Deen apologizes for “the wrong” that she’s done and begs for forgiveness:
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Update:
Well, that didn’t last long. Users who attempt to view the YouTube video are now seeing this:
For those of you who missed it when it was originally posted, you can still view the video below:
Or at Raw Story.
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Update:
Deen has posted a new, longer video:
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Update:
A third video:
Paula Deen's THIRD apology video — shorter and issued directly to Matt Lauer – http://t.co/IGDHt8Rxih
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) June 21, 2013
All this raises a very important question:
Who does PR for Paula Deen?
— Bill Murphy (@billmurphy) June 21, 2013
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Update:
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