Paula Deen was knocked off her pedestal quicker than you can utter the words “fried chicken” this past week but now her ex-hubby is coming to her defense.
After the now former Food Network chef was exposed of using the n-word and being fond of slavery-themed weddings, Paula has been the center of controversy but James Deen Sr. insists his ex-wife is not a racist.
He tells Celebuzz:
“She has never been nor never will be a racist. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I was married to the lady for 27 years, I know her pretty well,”
He added:
“Look at her and Oprah, they are the best of friends,”
He continues to defend her:
“The thing about it is people don’t know the real Paula from what they see on TV. She’s a very personable person, she loves people, she loves everybody and she’s very loving.
“We live and talk and work with the same people every day and some of our best friends are black. She would not do anything to hurt anyone,”
James attempts to justify, Paula use of the N-word:
“When she was younger she was robbed. She worked in a bank as a teller. A man came in and stuck a gun to her face, called her an ugly word and it scared her to death and he just happened to be black,” he said. “She may have come home that night and used the word to describe the robber. But just to go out and talk about people like that, never.
Some of the best people we know are black.
She deserves forgiveness. She’s loving and sincere and if she’s asked for it she means it.”
James also believes the former employee has ulterior motives:
“The lady claiming this happens to be white, I don’t know why she would bring that up unless she’s trying to make more money off Paula.”
Ugh!
Soon after issuing a couple of video statements, the butter queen was dropped from the Food Network.
In a statement to CNN released on Friday night, the chef thanked the network for 11 “great years.”
“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. This would not have been possible without the Food Network. Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of ya’ll.”
We’re not sure if Paula can ever make a comeback from this… no matter how many apologies she issues.
