Entertainment

Paula Deen Fallout: Who Has Cut Ties with the Embattled Celebrity Chef?

Controversy surrounding the celebrity chef burned up when a deposition related to a lawsuit revealed Deen had once said the n-word and planned a plantation-themed wedding. One by one, fans of the chef dropped like hot potatoes — and so did her sponsors. Read on to see who's cut ties with Deen following her scandal.

by Kate Ward

Paula Deen's No Good, Very Bad Week

Controversy surrounding the celebrity chef burned up when a deposition related to a lawsuit revealed Deen had once said the n-word and planned a plantation-themed wedding. One by one, fans of the chef dropped like hot potatoes — and so did her sponsors. Read on to see who's cut ties with Deen following her scandal.

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Ballantine Books

Though Deen's next book, Paula Deen's New Testament, sits at No. 1 in the days following her scandal, publisher Ballantine Books has announced it will not release the book, which was slated to hit shelves in October.

Sears/Kmart

Sears Holdings — which owns both Sears and Kmart — announced "after careful consideration," it would begin to discontinue Deen's brands in their stores. "We will continue to evaluate the situation," a statement read. "Our members' needs will be given first priority as we work to continue to provide quality cookware in our stores and online." Image: Sears

QVC

Despite holding out for over a week, the home shopping network announced to viewers via a letter on its website that it were "cooling" its relationship with Deen. "We have decided to take a pause," the letter read. "Paula won’t be appearing on any upcoming broadcasts and we will phase out her product assortment on our online sales channels over the next few months." But QVC feels sympathy for the former Food Network personality: "We too are troubled by what Paula has acknowledged saying. We’re also troubled by the allegations against her." Still, QVC ya later, Paula!

Target

Target is directing its, well, target towards Deen. The discounter told reporters it plans to phase out Deen-branded products from its stores after existing merchandise sells out. Image: Target

Home Depot

The hardware store told reporters it would stop carrying Deen brands in its store following the celebrity chef's Today appearance.

Novo Nordisk

The diabetes drug maker is no longer sweet on Deen. The company announced it's suspending its relationship with the celebrity chef "while she takes time to focus her attention where it is needed," according to a statement. Novo Nordisk did, however, toast Deen's contribution to diabetes awareness, and said they might resume their relationship with Deen "down the line." Silver lining? Image: Novo Nordisk

Walmart

The big box store announced it would no longer provide inventories attached to Deen. Said a spokesperson in a statement, "We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed."

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Food Network

The channel stuck a fork in Deen, and she was done. The same day Deen released two apology videos for using derogatory language, Food Network announced it would not renew the chef's contract at the end of the month. The move ended a relationship with Deen that began in 1999, and led to series like Paula's Home Cooking and Paula's Best Dishes.

Caesars Entertainment

Apparently, Caesars no longer hails Deen. The casino chain — which featured Deen restaurants in four casinos — dropped Deen and closed her eateries. The chain said that while it appreciated her apologies, it decided it was "in the best interests of both parties to part ways at this time."

Smithfield

Despite selling a ham picturing Deen's face, Smithfield just couldn't face Deen following her scandal. The company claimed they condemned "the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind," and cut ties following Deen's ham-fished language.

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