Days after it was revealed that Paula Deen admitted using racial slurs in the past, the cook canceled a live TV interview with Today at the last minute.
She had been scheduled to discuss her recent admission under oath in a deposition for a discrimination lawsuit that she has in fact used racial epithets.
But, according to Matt Lauer, Deen's rep contacted the show moments before she was set to appear live and told producers that she's not showing.
Paula Deen is "exhausted" after flying into New York overnight, her rep said.
"We had planned to have an exclusive live interview with Paula Deen this morning," a disappointed Lauer announced on the air Friday.
"We spoke several times with her people yesterday and then I spoke with Paula yesterday afternoon. We arranged an interview this morning."
"We agreed there would be no restrictions to that interview only that it would be an open and candid exchange. Then we started to hear from her people that she is exhausted."
"She has not called us at all," Lauer continued.
"Her publicity person and I spoke a little while ago. Simply said they believe she is in the hotel but she has not confirmed anything other than she is not here."
As for Deen, she has not commented, but a source tells People that she "is beside herself ... this is killing her. She's so beaten down by this."
Although she hasn't apologized for anything, Paula Deen Enterprises released a statement on Thursday explaining Deen's use of racial slurs:
"During a deposition where she [was under oath], Ms. Deen recounted having used racial epithets in the past, speaking largely about a time in American history which was quite different than today."
"To be clear Ms. Deen does not find acceptable the use of this term under any circumstance by anyone nor condone any form of racism or discrimination."
So basically, she's old?
With that excuse not likely to sit well with a modern audience, all eyes are on Deen to address the issue publicly. Time will tell when she decides to do so.
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