After canceling last week, Paula Deen sat down with Today Show‘s Matt Lauer for a tearful interview. During the interview she attempted to explain (and defend) her usages of racial slurs, but insisted she’s only said the N-word once.
When pleading to America, she said:
“If there’s anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back, then please pick up that stone and throw it at my head…and hit me as hard as you can.”
She also discussed her childhood, saying:
“I believe that every one of God’s creatures was created equal, no matter what church you go to pray. I believe that everyone should be treated equal, and that’s the way I was raised.
I am here today because I want people to know who I am, and people that have worked beside me, have walked beside, know what kind of person I am.”
Here are the rest of the highlights:
On being fired and dropped by several partners:
“Would I have fired me? Knowing me? No,” she said. “I am so very thankful for the partners I have who believe in me.”
On if she knew that the “N” word was offensive to Black people:
“I don’t know, I have asked myself that so many times,” Deen said. “I go into my kitchens and hear what these young people are calling each other…it’s very distressing for me. I think for this problem to be worked on these young people are gonna have to take control and start showing respect for each other.”
Watch the entire interview below.
UPDATE: It’s being reported that Paula Deen has hired crisis manager Judy Smith, you know…the real life Olivia Pope.
Ms. Deen’s management team reached out to the firm a few days ago, an executive familiar with the matter said, after she had already canceled her planned Friday appearance on “The Today Show” and issued a pair of poorly-received YouTube videos instead.
Smith & Co. CEO Judy Smith, who served as the inspiration for Kerry Washington’s character on ABC’s “Scandal,” declined to comment.
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via The YBF
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