Paula Deen -- Sobs at First Public Appearance After Racist Scandal (Photos)

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Paula Deen
SOBS at First Public Appearance
After Racist Scandal
Paula Deen was a big butterball of emotion today during her first public appearance since settling the racial discrimination lawsuit that destroyed her career ... and we've got the pics.

Paula appeared in Houston, Texas today for the Metro Cooking and Entertainment Show to mark her return ... and got choked up after receiving a standing ovation when she hit the stage.

The 66-year old chef told the crowd she had been wanting her return to take place in Texas all along ... and was just shedding tears of joy.

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In case you've been living under a rock -- Deen was dropped by tons of sponsors after she admitted to using the n-word during the depo for the lawsuit earlier this year.
The crowd in Texas seems to have forgiven Paula -- so we gotta ask ... Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Paula Deen -- I Don't Need a Comeback ... 'I Never Went Anywhere'

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Paula Deen
I Don't Need a Comeback
'I Never Went Anywhere'
Paula Deen is choosing to ignore her epic fall from grace -- telling TMZ, she doesn't need to make a comeback after her n-word scandal ... because she "never went anywhere."

Fact is ... Paula's reputation has been destroyed -- but the celebrity chef is refusing to wave the white flag.

We talked to Paula as she was flying out of Savannah, GA for Houston ... where yesterday she got a standing ovation at a cooking convention, then broke down in tears -- a full 180 from the stiff upper lip routine she gave us. 

Interestingly, the person by Paula's side at the airport ... none other than Hollis, her dutiful bodyguard.  You may remember the New York Times interview, when she mentioned Hollis was "as black as that board," referring to the black background.

She does have some kind words for 2 Chainz' new cookbook. Mayonnaise and butter, yum!

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'Dancing With the Stars' Mark Ballas -- Producers Could Force Me to Tango With Paula Deen

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'DWTS' Star Mark Ballas
Producers Could Force Me to Tango With Paula Deen

If you're a pro dancer on "Dancing With the Stars" and find yourself partnered with a disgraced celeb like Paula Deen ... that's too damn bad ... producers will FORCE you to rumba no matter how much you hate them.

Mark Ballas laid it all out for us on the streets of Hollywood Saturday. Our photog asked him, IF Paula was chosen for the show ... would he take issue cha-cha-cha-ing with her, in light of her n-word scandal?

Mark tells us ... he has NO SAY in the matter whatsoever. Meaning, even if you loathe your celeb ... or find their use of racial slurs questionable ... you better suck it up. Mark explains why.

Which reminds us ...

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Paula Deen -- Victim of Extortion Attempt

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Paula Deen
Victim of Extortion Attempt
The FBI arrested a man in New York this morning after he allegedly tried to extort $250,000 from Paula Deen ... claiming he would release "true and damning" statements made by Deen unless she paid up.

According to a federal criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Georgia on June 24, Deen's attorney went to the FBI after Deen received an email and follow up phone call from a man named Thomas Paculis. 

The complaint claims Paculis threatened to go to the media with information he claimed with bring hardship and financial ruin to Deen. 

According to the FBI, Paculis' email to Deen's attorney read, "I am about to go public with statements refuting your clients statements about using the 'N' word in her business practices at Lady and Son's ... The statements are true and damning enough that the case for Jackson will be won on it's merit alone."

The email went on to say there is a price for such information and urged Deen's attorney to contact him.

The revelation that Deen had used the N-word, which came about from a leaked deposition she gave as part of a lawsuit against her, came to light just days before.

Paculis was taken into custody today and will go before a judge in Savannah, GA on July 16. Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Paula Deen Parts Ways with Agent Following N-Word Controversy

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Paula Deen
Fries Relationship with Agent
Paula Deen is finally on the other end of a severed business relationship ... she's cutting ties with her agent following the recent fallout from her admission to using the N-word.

Deen's rep, Elana Weiss, said in a statement that Deen "has separated from" New York agent Barry Weiner.

Weiss went on to say that Deen and her family Weiss "thank him for the tireless effort and dedication over the many years."

Since the leak of a deposition in which Deen admitted to using the N-word in the past, she has lost deals with the likes of The Food Network, Wal-Mart, Target, JCPenney, Kmart, Sears and her book publisher.

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Paula Deen Game -- Pickin' Up the Pieces

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Paula Deen Game
Pickin' Up the Pieces, Y'all

Paula Deen's career is spiraling out of control and business partners like Target, Walmart, and Home Depot have slipped through her fingers ... can you help her get them back??? Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox

Paula Deen -- Dropped By Publisher

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Paula Deen
Dropped By Publisher

The demolition derby known as Paula Deen's empire rolls on -- she's just been dropped by one of her publishers, which says it will no longer release her next project ... which was expected to be a best seller.

In a statement released Friday, Ballantine Books announced it has cancelled the publication of "Paula Deen's New Testament: 250 Favorite Recipes, All Lightened Up".

But get this ... even though the book wasn't set to come out until October, it's already #1 on Amazon with pre-order sales.

Ballantine adds its name to the long list of companies abandoning ship in light of Deen's n-word controversy ... The Food Network, QVC, JCPenny, and Smithfield Hams, etc ...

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Paula Deen -- That White Woman Suing Me Is Also Smearing Me!

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Paula Deen
White Woman Suing Me
Is Also Smearing Me!

Paula Deen has filed legal docs in the lawsuit that sent her career into a free fall -- claiming the woman who's suing her is trumping up racial allegations and now Paula is out for blood.

Lisa Jackson -- who claims she was forced to quit her job as manager of Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House -- is asking for damages based on racial harassment, claiming she's African-American adjacent.   As for Jackson's proof she's got African-American ties, she points to her partner's biracial niece, whom Jackson claims is half Black.

According to Paula's new legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Jackson's niece is NOT Black at all ... not even a little.  Paula says Jackson's partner has now admitted the niece is Hispanic -- NOT Black.

And Paula's especially pissed that Jackson alleged in her lawsuit that Paula used the N-word in connection with Bubba's wedding, yet has never offered a shred of proof that the word was used.

So now Paula wants the judge to throw the book at Jackson, fining her with sanctions for creating a bogus racial harassment case.

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JCPenney -- Bye Bye Paula Deen

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Paula Deen's officially the least popular kid on the playground ... JCPenney just severed ties with the celebrity chef in the wake of her n-word scandal.

A rep for the department store released a statement today, saying, "We can confirm that jcpenney has decided to discontinue selling Paula Deen branded merchandise."

JCP had sold Deen-brand kitchen products ... which is good news for Martha Stewart.

The retail giant is the latest to run for the hills -- Target, Home Depot, QVC, Kmart, Sears, and Walmart (to name a few) have already dumped Paula.

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Paula Deen -- Spineless QVC Folds ... Drops Deen (Sorta)

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Paula Deen
Spineless QVC Folds
... Drops Deen (Sorta)

After waiting around to see which way the wind blew ... QVC -- like a lemming -- followed the rest of Paula Deen's partners and dropped the chef in the wake of the n-word scandal.

Initially, QVC refused to take a stand -- saying they were closely monitoring the situation.

Now, after just about every company connected to Deen jumped ship ... QVC has sheepishly made its move ... announcing Paula will not appear on any upcoming broadcasts ... for now.

In fact, the head of QVC released a statement saying, "Some of you may wonder whether this is a 'forever' decision – whether we are simply ending our association with Paula. We don’t think that’s how relationships work. People deserve second chances. And we always strive to do the right thing."   One question:  Huh?

For her part, Paula released her own statement regarding the QVC split, saying, "As you know, I have some important things to work on right now, both personally and professionally. And so we’ve agreed that it’s best for me to step back from QVC and focus on setting things right."

Who's next?

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Paula Deen -- Kmart and Sears Bailing Out Too

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Paula Deen
Kmart & Sears
Bailing Out Too
Paula Deen can't apologize enough to stop the bleeding -- Kmart and Sears are now cutting ties with her in the wake of the n-word controversy ... TMZ has learned.

Sears Holdings -- owner of Sears and Kmart stores -- tells us, "After careful consideration of all available information, we have made the decision to phase out all products tied to [Paula Deen's] brand."

But the retail giants -- which carry Deen's cookware and dishware lines -- seem to be guilty of a little fence-sitting, because they added ... "We will continue to evaluate the situation."

Yesterday Home Depot, Target, and QVC also jumped ship ... following the Food Network's lead.

What's that saying about a pound of flesh?

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Paula Deen -- Dropped by Walmart

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Paula Deen
Dropped by Walmart

Another one bites the dust ... Paula Deen has just been dropped by Walmart.

The retail giant just released a statement, saying, "We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed."

Walmart is Paula's latest business partner to sever ties with the celebrity chef in the wake of her n-word scandal ... a list that includes the Food Network, the Caesars casino company, and the ham company Smithfield.

Deen appeared on "Today" this morning, offering a tearful apology -- saying, "If there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back ... please pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me."

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Paula Deen - DEAL CASINO will burst... Caesars Kills deal with head

Paula Deen
DEAL CASINO GOES BUST
Caesars Kills Buffet contract with head

And tu, Caesars?

The casino company has announced it will kill his professional relationship with Paula Deen - and close all four of its restaurants that operate on its properties.

FYI - Deen has restaurants in Tunica Harrah near Memphis, Harrah Joliet near Chicago, Cherokee's Harrah's North Carolina... and a buffet at Horseshoe Southern Indiana.

But the fear of players hungry, Caesars said it intends to rename the restaurants of Paula and reopen in a few months.

Caesars said that the move is in the Enterprise 'interest' after the N - Word.

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Paula Deen Challenge: Hit me with a stone and kill Me

Paula Deen
Challenge: Hit me with a stone
And kill Me
Paula Deen an air of challenge and tears in his eyes, said that she did not need to change when it comes to using offensive words, but are of black youth - oh, and Jesse Jackson got his back.

Deen burst into tears on "Today", all telling Matt Lauer, "If there's anybody out there who has ever said something they wanted, they could resume... Please pick up that stone and throw it so hard on my head that it kills me. »

She added, "I is what I is and I'm not changing."

When asked if she had any doubt the n - word is offensive to blacks, she claimed that she did not know because... "It is very painful for me to go in my kitchen and I hear what these young people ask each other. It is very, very painful. »

Deen has also succeeded in dropping a small name... stating that it has received the support of the reverend Jesse Jackson. Receive TMZ Breaking News Alerts in your Inbox

Kid 'n Play Rapper Chris Reed -- Forget Racism, Paula Deen's Food Is Destroying America

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Kid 'n Play Rapper
Forget Racism
Paula Deen's Food Is Destroying America
Disgraced chef Paula Deen has committed a far worse crime than using the N-word: she's committed MURDER ... of sorts ... according to Kid 'n Play rapper Chris Reed.

Chris is surprisingly forgiving of Paula's blunder -- he explains why (although, our guess is he hasn't seen THIS GEM yet).

But what Chris can't forgive ... what he calls her "greatest crime" ... is the very thing she's famous for. Think fried Twinkies.  On second thought, just think of butter ... lots of butter.

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Paula Deen May Also Go To Pot On QVC

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Paula Deen
Going to Pot
On QVC
If you're lookin' for Paula Deen's pots and pans, you better jump fast, because it looks like her shelf-life on QVC is about to expire.

Deen -- who appears on the product-hawking network to pitch her cookware -- may lose her platform over the "n-word" revelations.

A rep for the network says they have "concerns [over] the unfortunate Paula Deen situation."  The rep adds, "Please know that QVC does not tolerate discriminatory behavior."

Now this is the weird part, which makes QVC sound -- how do you say in English -- as spineless as deep-fried octopus.  "We are closely monitoring these events and we are reviewing our business relationship with Ms. Deen.  In the meantime, we have no immediate plans to have her appear on QVC."

Translation -- They're waiting to see which way the wind blows.

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Paula Deen -- Food Network Blames Paula's Abysmal PR Team

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Paula Deen
Food Network Blames
Paula's Abysmal PR Team Paula Deen's PR team botched her n-word apology so badly ... the Food Network had no choice but to fire her, sources close to the network tell TMZ.

According to our sources, her management's clumsy damage control -- backing out of the Matt Lauer interview and releasing multiple lame mea culpas -- was the primary reason the Food Network pulled the plug on the celebrity chef.

We're told the apology videos were the last straw -- clinching the Food Network's decision to drop the ax on her. And if you've seen the videos, it's not a big shock. (Apology 1, Apology 2)

But the silver lining ... we're told Paula's son Bobby Deen will be spared ... his Food Network show "Not My Mama's Meals" won't be affected by his mama getting the boot.

Might want to rename it though.

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Paula Deen -- You Be the Judge

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Paula Deen has been 86'd from the Food Network for confessing during a deposition that she used the N-word in 1986. So we gotta ask ...

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Paula Deen -- Meet My Black Friend ... If You Can See Him!

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Paula Deen
Meet My Black Friend ...
If You Can See Him!

Paula Deen was out to prove she wasn't  a racist back in 2012 ... an she did so by bringing in her hard-to-see Black friend.

Paula was speaking with the New York Times ... and explained how her great-grandfather was devastated when the Civil War ended ... because he couldn't figure out how to run his plantation without "help" -- aka slaves.

Paula then plays show and tell with her friend, Hollis Johnson, who is "black as that board" (her words) while pointing to the background.

At one point she hollers, "Come out here Hollis. We can’t see you standing against that dark board."

How'd she have the foresight to play the "Black friend" card before it became necessary?

You gotta watch this video.

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Paula Deen's Video Apology -- Take 2

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Paula Deen
Video Apology
Take 2

Paula Deen must have realized how insincere her first video apology was when she posted it several hours ago ... because she's decided to do it again, and this one is much better.

Paula says in the new video she wanted to speak from her heart -- something she clearly didn't do in her first, heavily-edited and publicist-vetted disaster.

This time she speaks in one take, saying she doesn't discriminate against African Americans, Jews or gays.  It's not polished, but it seems way more authentic.

You be the judge.

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