Paula Deen's Publicist Quits, Y'all

One person who took particular distaste to the matter was Deen's longtime publicist, who has since quit her job.

R

ecently, down-home cookin' star Paula Deen announced she had been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Normally, celebrities having health conditions as such isn't a big deal, but given the type of food that Deen displays on her cooking shows, many people are criticizing the celebrity chef, saying it was irresponsible for her to promote fatty foods while knowing she wasn't 100% healthy. What's more, is Deen parlayed the diagnosis into a drug endorsement, for the diabetes drug Victoza.

Paula Deen was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

One person who took particular distaste to the matter was Deen's longtime publicist, who has since quit her job. As spokeswoman and chief marketer for Deen, Nancy Assuncao "strongly disagreed with [Deen's] dramatic turnabout, after years of promoting fatty foods, to announcing she has a deal with a diabetes drug company and will be promoting lighter food and 'diabetes in a new light," according to a source.

The source added, "Nancy disagreed with Paula's plan to be a drug-company spokesman and challenged her decision. While Paula did tell some people at her live appearances about her diabetes, she certainly didn't talk about it on her show...This wasn't a battle Nancy felt she was going to win. She couldn't be a part of it."

Assuncao said in a statement on Monday, "I'm very grateful for the six years that I worked with Paula in helping her build the Deen brand. Although we had a great deal of fun along the way, I could not agree with the new business strategy going forward. Nonetheless, I wish them continued success."

Now, we're torn. Deen's cooking was never hiding the fact that it was unhealthy. Everyone knows (or should know) that adding sticks and sticks of butter to everyday foods isn't the healthiest option. But the idea that she is making money off having a health problem that her food likely contributed to doesn't sit well with this writer. The only celebrity that should be allowed to make money off diabetes is a one Wilford Brimley, don't you agree? He's old school diabeetus.

[Source: Fox] [Photo: Slash Food]