Martha Stewart Says "I Feel Sorry for Paula Deen" as Target Vows to "Phase Out" Her Merchandise

"I don’t really want to say if I agree with it or not," the homemaking mogul says of the public reaction

By Alyssa Toomey Jun 27, 2013 3:53 PMTags
Paula Deen, Martha StewartStephen Lovekin/Getty Images; Bill Davila/startraksphoto.com

Martha Stewart may or may not support Paula Deen, but she certainly feels sympathetic.

The 71-year-old domestic diva appeared on Watch What Happens Live Wednesday night where she was asked to weigh in on the N-word controversy that has gravely damaged Paula Deen's reputation and caused a number of sponsors to sever their ties with the Southern chef.

"I feel sorry for Paula Deen," the lifestyle maven told host Andy Cohen. "She's a public figure and I know you have to be extremely careful being a public figure."

When asked whether she agreed with "everything that's happening" to Paula, Stewart was careful with her wording and chose not to comment on the disgraced chef's public downfall.

"I don't really want to say if I agree with it or not," she confessed. "I just feel that you have to really watch yourself. Especially in this day and age with cameras all over you and Google and records. I mean what I just said…that'll be there forever."

The TV star also said she "did not" see Deen's appearance on the Today show, and had "no comment" in regards to Deen being dropped by the Food Network.

Stewart herself is no stranger to public shame, having served five months in prison in 2004 for her role in the ImClone insider-trading scandal.

The business magnate successfully relaunched her career after her sentence—a feat which Paula presumably hopes to emulate.

Stewart's sympathies fall on the heels of Deen being dropped by a number of sponsors, with Target being the latest company to end their professional relationship with Paula.

"We have made a decision to phase out the Paula Deen merchandise in our stores as well as on Target.com," the company said in a statement. "Once the merchandise is sold out, we will not be replenishing inventory."

And Novo Nordisk, a diabetes drugmaker that counted Deen as a spokesperson (Paula has type 2 diabetes), has also followed suit.

"Novo Nordisk and Paula Deen have mutually agreed to suspend our patient education activities for now, while she takes time to focus her attention where it is needed," the company said in a statement. "Novo Nordisk would like to acknowledge Paula's involvement in our Diabetes in a New Light™ campaign, where she has helped make many people aware of type 2 diabetes and the lifestyle changes needed to control this serious disease.

Deen has also been dropped by Caesars Entertainment Corporation, which operates Paula Deen-themed restaurants at four of its properties, as well as Smithfield Foods, the Food Network and Walmart.

However, not all is lost for the 66-year-old chef. Sales for her latest publication have skyrocketed in light of the scandal, and her cruise line, Parties at Sea with Paula Deen & Family, has added more dates in 2014 due to fans' demands.

Deen admitted to using the N-word in a video deposition as part of a $1.2 million lawsuit filed against her by a former employee.

She recently spoke out about the scandal and issued a tearful apology on the Today show, insisting she's not racist.

—Reporting by Baker Machado