Paula Deen may have hoped that the public relations disaster that started last week would have stopped after her emotional Today Show interview, but that was not the case at all. She has continued to lose endorsements, while her fans are still showing their support. So how did this mess start? We’ve put together a timeline of events here.
In May, Deen sat down to record a deposition after a former manager at her restaurant in Savannah, Georgia filed a $1.2 million lawsuit. The employee claimed that she used racial slurs. This wasn’t made public until June 19, when the National Enquirer published the transcript.
“Yes, of course,” she said after her attorney asked if she used the n-word. “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.”
One of the other allegations was that Deen had planned a Civil War-theme wedding that featured black men told to act as slaves.
While some may have questioned the validity of the report since it came from a tabloid, statements from her representatives confirmed that the deposition had happened. However, the first statement appeared to call the report false.
“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,” the first statement read.
The next statement, released on June 20, made the situation worse.
“During a deposition where she swore to tell the truth, Ms. Deen recounted having used a racial epithet in the past, speaking largely about a time in American history which was quite different than today,” the Paula Deen Enterprises said. “[Paula] 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. 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.”
She was supposed to appear on the Today Show on June 21, but she cancelled at the last minute. According to E! News, the lawyer for Lisa Jackson, the woman who filed the lawsuit that sparked the controversy, said that “forgiveness requires penance.”
Just hours after the Today Show interview is cancelled, she releases two apology videos. But at that point, the castle begins to fall apart. The Food Network dropped her contract, which started the outpouring of support from fans of Deen.
QVC then issues a statement saying that it will evaluate its relationship with Deen. That company hasn’t made a decision yet.
On June 25, her sons appear on CNN’s New Day to defend their mother. A day later, she finally shows up on Today. She again apologizes for her actions, but claims - contrary to the deposition - that she only used the n-word once in her life back in 1986.
After the interview airs, Caesars Entertainment, Walmart and Home Depot drop their deals with Deen. But USA Today notes that there are still several companies that are sticking with her. Also, her book sales have exploded since the controversy.
That's where the situation currently stands. Time will tell if more brands will drop Deen and if she can survive the backlash. She certainly has plenty of fans supporting her.
image: NBC
image: NBC