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More Partners Dump Paula Deen in Wake of ‘Today’ Appearance

Jun 26, 2013  •  Post A Comment

The damage continues to mount for celebrity chef Paula Deen, with more partners dropping out of their deals with her as she struggles through a scandal involving her use of the N-word.

A high-profile interview with Matt Lauer this morning on NBC’s “Today” show, in which Deen broke down and cried, as previously reported, apparently did not help her cause.

Deadline.com reports: “Walmart now has dropped out, potentially costing Paula Deen revenues from a product line that includes eyeglasses, cookware, and baked goods. The retail giant says that it is ‘ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed.’”

The news follows word earlier today that Caesars Entertainment had severed ties with Deen’s company.

Deadline reports that Caesars “says today that it ‘has reached a mutual agreement with Paula Deen Enterprises’ not to renew their deal to operate four Paula Deen-themed buffets. Caesars says it will rebrand the existing ones at Louisville’s Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Memphis’ Harrah’s Tunica, Chicago’s Harrah’s Joliet, and North Carolina’s Harrah’s Cherokee.”

Caesars EVP of Communications and Government Affairs Jan Jones Blackhurst said: “While we appreciate Paula’s sincere apologies for statements she made in her past that she recently disclosed during a deposition given in response to a lawsuit, after thoughtful consideration of their impact, we have mutually decided that it is in the best interests of both parties to part ways at this time.”

Meanwhile, Deadline, citing a report by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, notes that Dean “received statements of support from Epicurean Butter, IQ Craft, Club Marketing Services, Harvest NA, Landies Candies, and Sandridge Food.”

Deadline adds: “The statement from Tasty Blend Foods praised Deen’s ‘commitment and how she stepped up and apologized to her viewers, fans and the nation. We personally endorse Paula Deen and what she stands for. We are very saddened that she is being judged by her past, everyone has made a mistake sometime in their lives.’”

The latest word from QVC remains that the company is reviewing its business relationship with Deen, as previously reported.

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