Paula Deen hires real-life ‘Olivia Pope’ to handle her N-word scandal

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Paula Deen hires Judy Smith

Paula Deen is trying her best to clean up last week’s N-word scandal so much so that the famed TV chef has reportedly hired the woman who inspired Shonda Rhimes’ hit show “Scandal.”


Deen, 66, appeared on “The Today Show” Wednesday and gave a tearful interview to Matt Lauer about admitting to using the N-Word in a deposition.


“There’s been some very, very hurtful lies said about me,” said Deen. “I believe that every creature on this earth…was created equal. … I believe that everyone should be treated equal.”

She later emphasized that her father would not tolerate racism in his house and hinted that the lawsuit where her use of the racial slur was brought up, was simply the result of jealousy.


“I have never with any intention hurt anybody on purpose and I never would,” said Deen. “What you see is what you get. … I’m heartbroken. […] “I is what I is and I’m not changing. There is someone evil out there that saw what I worked for and they wanted it.”

When asked if she would have fired herself over the scandal, a tearful Deen replied, “Knowing the person that I am. No.”

Now according to USWeekly, Deen is bringing out the big guns and has enlisted crisis management expert Judy Smith to help her situation.

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Judy Smith

Smith is a 54-year-old Washington D.C. based based crisis management expert who inspired the character Olivia Pope played by Kerry Washington on “Scandal.”

So far Smith has not dished on her reported ties to Deen.

Prior to working with the chef, Smith worked with Monica Lewinsky and Michael Vick. –danielle canada

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