Ever since Paula Deen has been dropped by the Food Network following an employee lawsuit saying she displayed racist behavior at work and used the N-word, several celebrities have spoken out in support of the troubled chef. Deen also admitted to planning a slavery-themed wedding.
Earlier this week, Aaron McCargo Jr, the chef who won Season 4 of "The Next Food Network Star", took to his Facebook page to say Paula Deen has been nothing but a friend to him throughout his career. "Paula has always been very helpful and supportive throughout my career, and as her friend I'm saddened to see that she is going through a tough time right now. We are all human and we should never be quick to judge anyone," he wrote.
Paula Deen admitted to the racist behavior as part of a $1.2 million lawsuit brought by Lisa Jackson, the former manager of a restaurant run by Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers. The Food Network announced Friday it would not renew Deen's contract when it expires at the end of the month.
Now, famous author Anne Rice, whose works include "The Vampire Chronicles" and "The Feasts of All Saints," posted about the news.
"What's happening with Paula Dean? Is it fair? I never heard of her until today, and wow, this looks like a crucifixion," Rice wrote on Friday on her Facebook page. "I may be wrong but aren't we becoming something of a lynch mob culture? Is this a good example of that?"
The gothic author's support for Deen was not handled well by some Facebook users. Rice responded to them by saying Deen's comments were made privately.
"...her brother sounds like a piece of work, but her remarks were made informally and in private, and clearly not intended to hurt anyone. Now they've been elevated to billboard status where they can hurt many as the result of a law suit [sic]," Rice wrote.
Paula Deen will have her turn to share what really happened when she sits down with the hosts of the Today show on Wednesday.
