Paula Deen Fired, Loses Smithfield Ham Endorsement Deal Amid Racial Slur Scandal
Paula Deen is having the worst week ever.
The celebrity chef, who was dropped from the Food Network on June 21 after 11 years, has now lost her endorsement deal with Smithfield, the pork company that sold a ham with her name and face on it. The blow comes following the uproar over her admitted use of the N-word in the past.
"Smithfield condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind," Smithfield said in a statement. "Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen. Smithfield is determined to be an ethical food industry leader and it is important that our values and those of our spokespeople are properly aligned."
Deen's deal with Smithfield was announced in September of 2006.
Deen made the admission of using the N-word during a sworn deposition in connection with a discrimination lawsuit brought by a former employee, who said she was in a hostile work environment filled with innuendo and racial slurs. Deen has apologized for the remarks.
On June 21, Deen released a video statement giving her mea culpa for using racial slurs.
"I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done," she said. "I want to learn and grow from this. Inappropriate, hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable."
In a longer video posted later in the afternoon, Deen, appearing more composed, said, "I've spent the best part of 24 years to help myself and others. Your color of your skin, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter."
Hours after word got out that Food Network did not renew Deen's contract for her use of racial slurs, the celebrity chef issued a statement of gratitude to the network. She first thanked the network for "11 great years" and went on to describe the experiences it allowed her to have.
"I have had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country and meeting people who have shared with me the most touching and personal stories," she said. "This would not have been possible without the Food Network. Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of y'all."
Home shopping corporation QVC has announced that are "reviewing [their] business relationship with Ms. Deen" in the wake of the scandal. QVC currently features Paula Deen's Kitchen, which sells the star's collection of cookbooks and cookware.
In a statement, a rep for QVC said, "QVC shares the concerns being raised around the unfortunate Paula Deen situation. QVC does not tolerate discriminatory behavior. We are closely monitoring these events and the ongoing litigation. We are reviewing our business relationship with Ms. Deen, and in the meantime, we have no immediate plans to have her appear on QVC."
After canceling on the Today show on June 21 citing "exhaustion," Deen will return to the morning program for an interview on Wednesday, Matt Lauer announced.