Paula Deen Dropped From Food Network After Racial Controversy
Paula Deen's contract with the Food Network was recently terminated, after the 66-year-old cooking show host was accused of being a racist.
Deen, a restauranter, made headlines last Wednesday when one of her former restaurant employees alleged that she made racial jokes at the establishment. In a testimony from a Deen's deposition on May 17, the Food Network host admitted to using the N-word in the past.
Now, the network is reportedly ready to part ways with Deen after making the decision not to renew her contract, according to a press release that Food Network released Friday afternoon. Deen has been on the network since 2002 when she appeared on "Paula's Home Cooking" and later added "Paula's Best Dishes" to the channel in 2008.
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After making headlines for her alleged racial slurs, Deen released a video apology on YouTube Friday afternoon where she begged for forgiveness.
"I've made plenty of mistakes along the way," Deen said. "I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners, I beg your forgiveness."
Although Deen admitted to using the "N-word" in the past, she insisted that she is not a racist in the statement.
"But that's just not a word that we use as time has gone on. Things have changed since the '60s in the South," CNN reported. "And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do."
William Franklin, Deen's attorney, released a follow up statement by Paula Deen Enterprises where he explained his client's position.
"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," the statement obtained by People magazine says. "To be clear, Ms. Deen does not find acceptable the use of this term under any circumstance by anyone nor condone any form of racism or discrimination."
