Paula Deen Delivers Public Apology On 'Today Show' One Year After Racism Scandal: What’s Next For Famous Chef?
Paula Deen is trying to make amends. The southern cooking mogul appeared on the Today Show on Tuesday to announce the launch of her new network and give a public apology, one year after an interview with Matt Lauer in which she discussed the allegations that she used racial slurs towards her employees.
And the celebrity cook made it clear that she trying to put the past behind her.
"Words are so powerful. They can hurt. They can make people happy. Well, my words hurt people," Deen told Matt Lauer during the interview, after being asked what she has learned over the last year.
"They disappointed people and frankly, I disappointed myself," she added, continuing with short apology. "And for that, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry for the hurt that I caused people because it went deep."
Regarding the June 2013 interview between Deen and Lauer, which some believe cost the food star several endorsement deals, Deen revealed that she took a hard look at her responses to the tough questions asked on that date.
"I didn't recognize that woman. That was a woman in trauma, I would say in shock, trying to understand what had happened," said Deen. "I probably should not have been here. I probably should have been at home, maybe even under the care of a doctor."
Putting the apology aside, Deen also told Lauer that she was disappointed that the result of the racism lawsuit filed against her, which was eventually dismissed, "got almost no attention."
But the comfort food queen is now looking forward. She and her family are launching the Paula Deen Network, which will be a subscription-based online channel that will feature original and interactive content.
Deen also told Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Giffort of the "Today Show" that she has bought back the rights to all of the content she has ever produced, including every piece of work she did for the Food Network.
That material will likely be featured on her new network as well.