Paula Deen Tweets Old Picture of Her Son Bobby in Brownface, Fires Social Media Manager

Former Food Network star has been in hot water over the past year

By Mike Vulpo, Lily Harrison Jul 07, 2015 7:47 PMTags
Paula Deen, TwitterTwitter

Paula Deen is back in hot water after her latest tweet.

Early Tuesday morning, the former Food Network star posted (and subsequently deleted) and 2011 image showing her dressed up as Lucille Ball's character from I Love Lucy alongside her son, Bobby Deen, who is in costume as Desi Arnaz's role of Ricky Ricardo.

And while Paula is wearing a red wig to emulate Lucy's signature flaming hair, her son is shown with brown face paint to depict the Cuban-American actor.

Shortly after posting the image, many commented on Paula's page that the tweet was insensitive and racist, at best.

Her rep explained this morning's tweet to E! News, saying, "Paula Deen's Social Media Manager posted a picture this morning of Paula and Bobby Deen dressed in costume as Lucy and Ricky, from I Love Lucy.This photograph is from a Halloween episode of Paula's Best Dishes that aired in 2011

"Paula immediately had this picture taken down as soon as she saw the post and apologizes to all who were offended. As such, Paula Deen Ventures has terminated their relationship with this Social Media Manager."

The latest comes over a year after her initial headline-making racial scandal but Paula has seen her career hit an upswing in recent months.

In fact, earlier this year Paula opened up about her comeback in an interview on the Meredith Vieira Show.

"Meredith, I have to say it's the hardest thing that I've ever been through in my life," she explained. "When people ask me, ‘Paula how does one get through things like that?' I tell you it was the four F's: My family, my friends, my faith, my fans."

She added, "My fans saved my life, they saved my life Meredith. They would not even consider me just going away." 

Meredith Vieira then asked if she ever thought of leaving the spotlight for good, and Paula admitted to considering the idea.

"I didn't know what to think Meredith," she shared. "If you've ever been in shock, you know, I couldn't think."