Paula Deen Reflects: 'I Lost It All' Over N-Word Controversy
PAULA DEEN: FROM SOUTHERN BELLE TO RACIAL CONTROVERSY - THE TRUTH BEHIND HER FALL AND REDEMPTION
In a jaw-dropping interview, Paula Deen, the 78-year-old Food Network alumna, sat down with her sons Bobby and Jamie to dish out the dirt on her infamous N-word scandal. The highly-anticipated conversation was featured in an exclusive chat with The Hollywood Reporter, coinciding with the premiere of Billy Corben's documentary "Canceled: The Paula Deen Story" at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The spotlight shone brightly on Deen as she reflected on the devastating aftermath of her 2013 lawsuit deposition, where she admitted to using the N-word in the past. The cookbook author and TV personality claimed that she had lost everything in a mere 24 hours following the scandal - including deals with major brands like the Food Network, Walmart, and Target.
"I would have been fine if the whole story was told – if the real story was told," Deen insisted, placing blame squarely on her accuser Lisa Jackson. "They took her word and ran with it, without ever investigating further." The embattled TV chef accused Jackson of being a 'known liar', sparking a heated exchange between Deen and her own sons.
Bobby Deen attempted to inject some sense into the conversation, cautioning his mother that relitigating the case in the documentary could be "a lot of risk". However, Paula Deen would not let up, claiming she had "lost it all" due to the fallout. Her son Bobby quickly countered, stating that their family was far from defeated and that they had actually thrived during this tumultuous period.
"We have a beautiful business that has survived and thrived," Bobby said firmly, his voice laced with emotion. "We're alive, our families are intact – we've lost nothing."
The tension between Deen and her sons became palpable as the conversation continued to unravel. When Paula claimed that she had been forced to issue an apology that she later regretted, Jamie clarified that no one had pressured her into apologizing.
Bobby added a subtle yet biting remark in a "stage whisper" meant for his mother's ears only: "They're also not your friends." The exchange left many wondering about the true nature of Deen's relationships with those who stood by her during this trying time.
As the interview continued, Paula Deen offered up a murky timeline regarding when she stopped using the N-word. She claimed that it had been "out of our vocabulary now for a long time", but contradicted herself by stating that she used the term as recently as the 1980s in a deposition. The TV chef admitted to having said the N-word multiple times, but insisted that the last time was "a very long time" before the 2013 deposition.
When asked about her regrets, Deen chose not to reflect on using the N-word but instead focused on wishing she had obtained an attorney who would have strongly objected during the deposition. She also expressed regret over not settling the lawsuit sooner, stating that it would have saved her from the "heart-wrenching" fallout.
The controversy surrounding Paula Deen's use of the N-word first came to light in 2013 when Lisa Jackson filed a lawsuit against her for alleged racial discrimination and sexual harassment at her brother's restaurant. While the judge ultimately threw out the racial discrimination claims, Deen did face a settlement with Jackson before both parties requested the case to be dismissed.
The question on everyone's mind remains: what really happened in that deposition? The answers may lie within "Canceled: The Paula Deen Story", which offers an intimate look at Deen's journey from culinary stardom to racial controversy and her subsequent redemption.
