From both in and outside her family, the beleaguered celebrity cook is getting some much-needed support.
- Jun 26, 2013
AceShowbiz - She may have been already dropped by the Food Network and key sponsor Smithfield Foods, but former TV cooking show host Paula Deen's troubles are far from being over, with other top companies looking to cut their ties with the cook over the recent controversy of her use of racial slurs. However, the beleaguered TV personality is not without a few supporters willing to come to her defense.
Deen's sons, Bobby and Jamie, have finally spoken up about the whole thing, branding it "character assassination." "Our mother is one of the most compassionate, good-hearted, empathetic people that you'd ever meet. These accusations are very hurtful to her, and it's very sad," says Bobby about the woman who raised them not to be bigoted towards others.
"That word, that horrifying, terrible word that exists and I abhor it coming from any person. ... We weren't raised in a home where that word was used," the Cooking Channel show host says, shooting down accusations that her mother was racist. His brother Jamie, who co-operates the restaurant The Lady & Sons adds, "It's ridiculous, completely absurd to think there is an environment of racism in our business, and it's really disrespectful to the people that we work with."
Meanwhile, even folks from outside the family are standing up for Deen, like "Interview with the Vampire" author Anne Rice who said on her Facebook page that the restaurateur was being "crucified," adding, "I may be wrong but aren't we becoming something of a lynch mob culture?" Despite turning off some of her fans with her comments, Rice stuck to her opinions, saying, "I think it's unfair."
