SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
Celebrity chef Paula Deen issued three video statements Friday afternoon apologizing and asking for forgiveness. There is only one currently publicly viewable on YouTube
One 46-second video posted on YouTube Friday afternoon was then marked private just before 4 p.m. Another video by Deen was posted to YouTube and was no longer publicly viewable a short time later. There is currently one publicly viewable apology video that's 1 minute and 57 seconds long by Deen. The third video that was pulled from Deen's YouTube page is still being circulated on YouTube, but not from Deen's account.
The video statements are in response to accusations of racism as much as her attorney's will let her with an ongoing lawsuit. A former employee is suing Deen over harassment and work conditions at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House restaurant.
"I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I have done," she said in the first video released Friday.
On Wednesday morning, details from Deen's deposition were reported worldwide, including accusations of a racist dream wedding and the use of the n-word.
Deen said in Friday's first video that the "inappropriate, hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable."
"I've made plenty of mistakes along the way - but I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners - I beg for your forgiveness," she said in that 46-second video. "Please forgive me for the mistakes that I have made."
In another video statement also issued Friday, she specifically addresses Matt Lauer of the "Today Show" and why she did not appear on the program to address the controversy.
In the video, which is 1 minute and 57 seconds long, Deen said she was physically not able to make the appearance on the show and that "the pain has been tremendous" to herself and others. She said she wanted to offer an apology to those who she has hurt.
Then she said: "I've spent the best of 24 years to help myself and others. Your color of your skin, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter to but it's what in the heart and my family try to live by that. And I am here to say that I am so sorry. I was wrong. Yes, I have worked hard and made mistakes, but that is no excuse."
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Paula Deen asks for forgiveness in a video statement. (Source: Paula Deen's YouTube Channel)
