Paula Deen is openly expressing her opinions about Anthony Bourdain, long after his passing.
In her latest documentary Canceled: The Paula Deen Story, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, the controversial celebrity chef targets Bourdain, who tragically ended his own life at the age of 61 in 2018.
Within the documentary, Deen recalls how Bourdain referred to her as the most dangerous woman in America. She quotes the Parts Unknown host who in 2011 labeled her the “worst, most dangerous person in America.”
The film features Bourdain critiquing Deen’s approach to Southern cuisine, stating, “This is not Southern food she’s been selling. Her brand has been all these years, novelty food,” as reported by Entertainment Weekly. He also took issue with Deen’s commercial partnership with a pharmaceutical company for diabetes medication.
Furthermore, Deen openly criticized Bourdain in the past, as shown in a clip from The Joy Behar Show, where she commented on Bourdain’s habit of eating exotic international dishes. “Let me tell you something, girlfriend. Maybe [my food] is bad for you, but I don’t go around eating or serving unwashed anuses of wildebeests,” she remarked.
In her documentary, Deen reinforces her stance, stating, “I don’t know what he was off in these foreign countries eating. Bat brains or something like that. I think I’ll just stick with my fried chicken.”
The documentary also includes previous footage of Bourdain discussing Deen’s comment on his past drug use, revealing her suggestion that he might still be using drugs, which she insinuated in a subtly polite Southern manner.
Discussing Bourdain’s death, Deen reflects, “God rest his soul. I felt like he didn’t like anybody. Not even himself, maybe.” She also mentions their public disagreements, emphasizing, “He started something with me, and I’d never even met him.”
The film also explores Deen’s 2013 racism controversy, where she confessed to using the N-word and making racist jokes during a lawsuit brought by a former employee. “Yes, of course I’ve used that word,” Deen admits in the documentary, linking her use of the racial slur to a traumatic robbery she experienced in 1987.
Despite the scandal significantly damaging Deen’s career, her lawyer, Bill Glass, argues in the documentary that people “should not take any issue” with her contextual use of the slur.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
