Yet another blow to Paula Deen. I've been trying hard not to jump on the anti-Paula bandwagon and show some compassion and perspective, but she's made it awfully hard. And it looks like I'm not the only one struggling over my feelings for the Queen of Butter. Her publicist has quit!
Nancy Assuncao, Paula's top publicist, told the Daily News she just couldn't get behind her client's latest enterprise. She gave her notice back in October when she first heard about Paula's deal with diabetes drug Victoza. "I couldn’t understand why they thought this was really good for the brand. I’ve been in this business for 34 years, and I just didn’t see it.” All I can think now, is, when your publicist quits on you it's time to re-evaluate your plan.
After all, it's your publicist's job to spin your story so you smell like roses. If Paula's drug endorsement stank that badly for Assuncao -- enough for her to dump a client who must have been a colossal source of income at that -- it should be a wake-up call! On the same magnitude as that diabetes diagnosis.
If I were Paula Deen I would be doing some soul-searching right about now. It might be time to give up on that endorsement deal. It's a $500-a-day drug anyway, and there's lots of controversy over whether it's even safe and effective. You don't need that mucking up your brand.
More on Paula Deen: Paula Deen Fights Diabetes in a Truly Disturbing Way
Paula should also start looking more closely at what she means by "eating in moderation." And here's where I've got some compassion for Paula. I love fried chicken and brownies and cheesecake, too. And we all talk about these as "sometimes" foods. She needs to get specific about that -- "sometimes" as in "half-portion sizes only on the weekend?" And what kind of healthier food is she eating the rest of the time? Because Paula still, even after all this bad publicity, has a loyal following. She needs to have faith and believe that those fans will keep following her if she admits she's been wrong and changes course (especially if she cries -- just saying). And Lord knows, the woman has enough money to do that Diabetes in a New Light website (or some other version of it) without the drug money.
Paula's greatest asset right now is her fan base. I hope she uses that connection to build something positive from this whole experience.
Would you like to hear Paula talk more about health food?
Image via Food Network
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Comments 31
She's been wrong about what?
She's not responsible for what people put into their mouths and how often.
Lots of people don't have diabetes and have the will power to indulge only once in a while or are capable of exercising moderation.
She is a cook, not the world's mommy.
In the course of bringing her family out of poverty, she got busy and chubby.
So did a lot of other people.
Those people need meds for diabetes, too, and she can sell it to them if she wants to.
I find no fault with her either. Just because she makes something doesn't mean you should eat it everyday. She never told people to eat like this every day.
I don't like that Paula Deen is endorsing a a diabetes drug, and I really find it of minimal, if any, importance that she is diabetic. She is a chef and she shouldn't sell out because you yahoos can't think for yourselves.
As a diabetic, I really feel the need to chime in here. I personally feel that Paula Dean is entitled to eat, or NOT eat whatever she chooses. I also don't feel that type 2 diabetes is caused by either over eating, or the food choices people make. (That is MY humble opinion, and I am entitled to it just as everyone else is.) New evidence is suggesting that type 2 diabetes is in fact an auto immune disease such as type 1 diabetes is, just that it affects the body differently, ie: causing the inability to process the insulin your body makes, which in turn, leads to high sugar levels.
Now that being said, I DO think that there are methods of healthier eating that DO help to manage and control blood sugar levels, as well as your weight. Do I think it is NOW Paula Deans RESPONSIBILITY to make sure she tells everyone about these methods? Or, do I even think she HAS to follow them herself? No! Why? Because she alone is responsible for HER OWN HEALTH, just as EVERYONE ELSE is responsible for THEIRS.
However, because she is such a well known media persona, I think it would be REALLY nice if she would step up and use her notoriety (is that even the right word?) to help others in the same diabetic boat she is in. I would LOVE to see her showcase healthier, more diabetic friendly recipes, as well posibly see her as a diabetes advocate in the future.
I'd also like to mention here that diabetes is a LIFELONG disease with serious and potentially LIFE THREATENING complications. Not all people react to the news of being diagnosed with a disease of such proportions the same. A lot of people spend time "IN DENIAL", and that amount of time varies from person to person, some people jump right in and do everything they can to help themselves, and others (like me) can spend months, even YEARS in denial. Imagine trying to come to terms with a newly diagnosed (serious) disease, and having half the nation itself all in a huff, writing in the newspapers, magazines, and all over the web, complaining about what you will, or will not do, and what you will or will not eat, and what kind of an example you are setting for others!?! What a heavy weight that would be!
Anyhow, that is my take on the whole thing, I apologize if the capitalization offends anyone, it is not intended to, it is only for emphasis, as it is so hard to convey emotion via the internet.
I wish you all good health and a blessed life :)
As a Public Relations Professional I don't see any problems with what she is doing. There are thousands of people who are famous and use their lives, personal, and private issues to make money. It is absurd to attack her for having Diabetes and using her name to sell and endorse a product! She has been cooking southern food for A LOT longer than the two years she has had Diabetes, and she is continuing her image and cooking the food that made her famous. It would be ridiculous if she completely changed who she was because of this. Millions of people eat her recipes daily and/or responsibly and NOT have Diabetes -- my entire bloodline below the Mason-Dixon and I can stand up and say that.