Paula Deen Today Show Interview: Celebrity Chef Gets Emotional

Top-earning celebrity chef Paula Deen has been plagued by accusations she is a racist after a legal deposition she is in surfaced with her admitting to using racial slurs like the "n-word". Since the allegations broke out, Deen has received tons of negative comments and reactions and have lost TV and endorsement contracts including that of the Food Network.

In her first public interview at The TODAY Show Wednesday, Deen was emotional as she denied being a racist saying, "I believe that every one of God's creatures was created equal. I believe that everyone should be treated equal, that's the way I was raised and that's the way I live my life."

Following her TV interview at the show, viewer reactions were mixed. While some felt her sincerity, still many critics didn't buy it. Sadly, for a number of Deen's current business partners, they felt the latter.

Hours after the interview aired, Caesar Entertainment Corporation made an announcement that they are discontinuing business relationship with Deen; Wal-Mart also announced they are dropping endorsements of Paula-Deen branded items.

Notably, during the interview, Deen made it known that she sees herself as the victim in all these, saying she is "heartbroken." Tearfully adding, "I've had to hold friends in my arms while they've sobbed because they know what's being said about me is not true; and I'm having to comfort them and tell them it's gonna be alright, if God got us to it, he'll get us through it."

While most people watching the interview expected to hear more words of apology from Deen, according to TODAY she did not even once said the words "I'm sorry".

The interview ended with Deen's words saying, "If there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back, if you're out there, please pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me, please I want to meet you."

(Video Courtesy of NBC)