Paula Deen Apologizes for Racist Testimony in Video Statement: 'Please Forgive Me'

After totally blowing off the Today show this morning — much to Matt Lauer's irritation — Food Network star Paula Deen has released a video statement concerning testimony in which she admitted to using racial slurs (among other things). In the video, Deen says:

I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done. I want to learn and grow from this...inappropriate and 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. Please forgive me for the mistakes that I've made.

Despite only being 46 seconds long, there are (oddly) 3 cuts in the clip. Below, Deen addresses the controversy.

UPDATE 4:30 PM ET: It's pretty clear at this point that something fishy is going on. Deen's official, verified Twitter account tweeted a photo of her earlier today wearing the outfit she is wearing in both of these videos. The first video, as mentioned before, is edited very strangely and has been pulled. The two videos were posted to separate YouTube accounts, at least the latter of which was created just today.

Where is this footage coming from? Is Deen's camp gauging response, and pulling and reediting videos to get better traction? Or was the computer storing the footage (as well as possibly Deen's twitter account) somehow hacked? It's pretty clear the footage is real, but...what? Stay tuned.

UPDATE 5:05 PM ET: The Food Network tells Eater they will not renew Deen's contract.

UPDATE 5:25 PM ET: And there's a third video. It's not all that different from the second video.

YouTube: Paula Deen Responds to Racist Testimony

Update: So far today the video has been made private (and unwatchable) on YouTube twice. Here is an archived, unedited copy of the original:

Eater Video: Paula Deen Responds to Racist Testimony

Update 4:20 PM EST: Here's another apology video that appeared on YouTube:

YouTube: Another Paula Deen Apology Video

Transcript For the Second Video

Hello y'all, I'm Paula Deen. I was invited this morning to speak with Matt Lauer about a subject that has been very hurtful for a lot of people. And Matt, I have to say, I was physically not able this morning. The pain has been tremendous that I have caused to myself and to others, and so I am taking this opportunity now that I've pulled myself together and am able to speak, to offer an apology to those that I have hurt. I want people to understand that my family and I are not the kind of people that the press is wanting to say we are. 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 me, but it's what in the heart, what's in the heart. And my family and I try to live by that. And I am here to say I am so sorry. I was wrong, yes, I've worked hard and I've made mistakes. But that is no excuse. And I offer my sincere apology to those that I have hurt, and I hope that you forgive me, because this comes from the deepest part of my heart. And I will continue to work and continue to do good things for good people. Thank you for listening.

Video: Third Paula Deen Video

· Paula Deen's Third Apology Video [YouTube]
· Paula Deen Responds to Racist Testimony [YouTube]
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