Paula Deen Separates From Agent In Continuing Media Fallout After Racial Slurs

Paula Deen said that she has now cut business ties with her agent in the fallout for her use of racial slurs like the n-word.

Paula Deen's agent, Barry Weiner, once helped make her a Food Network star. Deen had a several endorsement deals and a media empire that has largely crumbled since admission that she used racial slurs in the past.

"Paula Deen has separated from her agent," Deen's spokeswoman, Elana Weiss, said in an email Thursday. "She and her family thank him for the tireless effort and dedication over the many years

Deen and Weiner worked together for over a decade. In the past, she said he was a crucial part of getting her show "Paula's Home Cooking" on the Food Network, which began airing in 2002. She gave no reason for her parting with Weiner.

About two weeks ago, Deen admitted under oath that she used the n-word. The Food Network declined to renew Deen's contract; her shows were pulled.

Deen also had her book cancelled by her publisher and is "taking a pause" with QVC, Sears, Smithfield, Walmart, Target, and several other companies. Her publisher Ballantine cancelled plans for her upcoming cookbook, although it was the rapidly No. 1 seller on Amazon. Novo-Nordisk, who made Deen a spokeswoman for their diabetes drug, also dropped her like it was hot.

The public relations scandal continued after Deen made a series of gaffes in interviews.

Paula Deen wrote about Weiner and producer Gordon Elliott, saying

"Barry is affectionately known in my family as Barry Cuda. Perfect name for an agent."

Of their early days, she said,

"Barry and Gordon felt like there was a show somewhere inside this Paula character that could be very successful."

"They probably courted Food Network for two years trying to push me at them."

Deen's statement announcing her split with her agent ended, "Paula wishes him well in all future endeavors."