Celebrity chef Paula Deen has issued a video statement on YouTube asking for forgiveness from her fans following her ‘n-word’ controversy.
Deen became embroiled in a controversy after the National Enquirer reported about a lawsuit filed against her by the former general manager of one of her restaurants in Georgia. The suit claimed that Deen used racial slurs and that her husband was abusive. The tabloid ran a transcript of a taped deposition, during which Deen was asked if she used the n-word.
“Yes, of course,” she was quoted as saying. “It’s just what they are — they’re jokes…most jokes are about Jewish people, rednecks, black folk…I can’t determine what offends another person.”
She also spoke about an event where she wanted a waiter staff made up of all black men to act as slaves for a Civil War era-themed wedding.
The first statement from Deen’s reps simply said, “Contrary to media reports, Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable. She is looking forward to her day in court.” But then a longer statement came out, in which she blamed her use of the slur on growing up in the South. It also confirmed that the deposition did take place as described by the tabloid.
Deen was supposed to make her first TV appearance since the story broke on the Today Show this morning, but she didn’t show up and her rep blamed “exhaustion.”
This afternoon, Deen finally surfaced for a YouTube clip that was edited down to just 45 seconds. “I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done. I want to learn and grow from this,” she said, reports People.
“Inappropriate, hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable,” she continued. “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. Please forgive me for the mistakes that I've made.”
image: NBC