Paula Deen is taking a page out of Shonda Rhime’s script. The celebrity chef, who’s currently suffering from a major racial slur backlash, hired real life public relations and crisis manager Judy Smith.
Smith is the inspiration for Rhime’s mega successful show Scandal, starring Kerry Washington as D.C.’s go-to fixer.
According to Adage, Deen sought out the services of Smith & Co. a couple days ago.
Deen, probably under the care and advice of Smith, made an emotional appearance on Today this morning where she defended herself as anti-racist and slammed what she called “horrible, horrible lies.”
Following Deen’s admission of using the N-word, the southern chef’s empire has taken a major hit. Deen has been canned by the Food Network and Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer. Today, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, which operates Paula Deen-themed restaurants at four of its casinos, also announced that they will not renew their business relationship with Deen.
It is reported that Smith & Co. will focus their energy on preserving the business deals with Deen’s remaining partners including Novo Nordisk, maker of the diabetes treatment Victoza, Springer Mountain Chicken, Landies Candies, and Tasty Blend Foods.