It seems the world around Paula Deen exploded this week with her recent—or actually, not so recent—diabetes diagnosis. I’m so torn on this whole controversy. I really enjoy her personality, her backstory and her food. Granted, I haven’t watched any of her shows in a couple of years. I can say that I did book her as a guest on Bob & Sheri a couple of times. She’s just this vibrant personality that makes you feel happy.
So much has been thrown at her this week and I wanted to put some of my thoughts down. Hope you don’t get offended or disappointed, it’s just my opinion.
First off, calm the bleep down. It’s not like she’s the Dalai Lama. She’s a southern cook who loves to cook with butter, flour and sugar. Are you actually surprised she has diabetes? I’m sure there has been an oddsmaker in Las Vegas taking bets on when she’d have a health crisis for years now.
Second of all, she’s a person. Let’s all remember that she’s a fellow human being that was given a life-altering diagnosis. She has a right to keep it private as long as she needs in order to deal with the long-term implications for her health. She can make her own decision as to whether or not she will make dietary changes, take medication or both. Any criticism that she needed to immediately jump up and proclaim herself a diabetic needs to simmer down. That is, unless you want to volunteer to get on your Facebook page and shout to the world every one of your ailments. It’s none of our beeswax. What was that? I thought so.
Then you have to keep in mind that she’s not just Paula Deen. She’s also the brand "Paula Deen" with a big ole “incorporated” behind it. Millions of dollars run through that brand and “she” probably had to carefully think through how that diagnosis would affect her brand on both a short-term and ongoing, long-term basis. “She” may even be a committee—butting in and putting in their two cents worth. Heaven help her, but that’s what companies with big money do—they sit, they think, they strategize, they run test scenarios, they consult focus groups, they analyze—and only then do they chose the option with the least amount of risk/fallout with optimal profit potential.
But then again, I don’t reach for a Paula Deen recipe for something health conscious, that’s not her field. I go to a Paula Deen recipe for something that tastes amazing, regardless of calories. Again, we’re going back to the “brand” Paula Deen. I don’t really know if I would want a healthy version of her cooking. Who knows, maybe that’s what she’s been doing these past few years but pushing it out through the son’s “Not My Momma’s Cooking” show? (She did add in salads, didn’t she? Back when her husband had a heart attack, I think?) Would her brand withstand a colossal, 180 degree change in direction? I’m not so sure it would.
Many have taken the stance about her responsibility to inform her fans and change her way of cooking. Did New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme stop being so popular and respected when he was scooting around on his Little Rascal? The man could barely walk because of his weight, but did the world rise up and demand that he change his recipes? They might have…but still, I think he pretty much decided for himself to lose the weight and get his health back on track. And if I want a Cajun red snapper recipe—I reach for one of his…from his fat phase!
On the other hand, ouch—she is a public figure who did decide to share her condition. And boy, it really did take her a long time to come out with the news. Three years is a huge swath of time. That’s an extended period to figure out where you’re going and map out a strategy to get there.
Should she have taken the money from the pharmaceutical company? If the long-range outlook for her brand is not positive, then this drug company money will be what keeps her and the brand going a little bit longer. That huge payout does one of two things. It either buys her some time to bow out of public life gradually and graciously; or, it gives her the cash to keep everyone employed until the controversy blows over and she finds a way back to the limelight.
Who knows? Maybe she’s found that the drug has really helped manage her diabetes. Has it occurred to any of us that perhaps she’s actually the one pulling the strings? Maybe she convinced that drug company to give her oodles of cash to wave their product in front of her fans? I honestly don’t know. But I do know that it’s not easy to get an endorsement deal out of those big drug companies—that kind of money is a game-changer and you have to work for every penny. I’ve seen someone attempt that process…it was like watching them jump through never-ending hoops for an unbending, unimpressed taskmaster. Have no doubts, she’ll be working her bohonkus off day and night until that contract runs out.
Here’s what I take away from all this. I still think she’s a great lady, a great cook and an inspiration. She’s dealing with a life-changing diagnosis and now she’s dealing with a possible career-ending public relations nightmare on a public stage. I wouldn’t wish either one of those on anyone. Given the right forum, she’s got the right ingredients (and sass!) to potentially turn this all around and back in her favor. She’s a strong, smart lady and I think she’ll be just fine. I wish her well.