Paula Deen sees more corporate defections after ‘Today’ interview
More companies are bailing on Paula Deen following her “Today” interview.
Wal-Mart Stores, which carries Deen’s cookware and other merchandise, announced Wednesday it would “not place new orders,” according to reports.
And Caesars Entertainment said it would “part ways” with the celebrity chef and strip Deen’s name from four buffet restaurants at casinos around the country.
Deen -- caught in a firestorm after a videotaped deposition surfaced last week in which she admitted to using the N-word and other racial insensitivities -- appeared on NBC’s “Today” Wednesday morning to try to clear her name.
Critics were divided on her performance. During the interview with co-host Matt Lauer, Deen denied she was a racist, blamed “someone evil” for her recent troubles and added, “I is what I is and I’m not changing.”
Meanwhile, Deen’s handlers tried to minimize the damage by emailing reporters “statements of support” from companies that say they intend to keep doing business with Deen. Among them: Landies Candies and Tasty Blend Foods.
RELATED: Paula Deen begs for forgiveness, still dropped by Food Network
“We are very saddened that she is being judged by her past, everyone has made a mistake sometime in their lives,” Tasty Blend wrote in its letter.
What do you think of the latest Deen developments?
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Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT
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