As reaction pours in over Paula Deen confirming she has diabetes, the famous chef finds herself facing both backlash from critics and support from fans. INSIDE EDITION has the latest.
Paula Deen's war with fellow celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain is heating up.
Bourdain is weighing in on the revelation that Deen continued to whip up fatty dishes while she knew she was suffering from diabetes. Now, she's being paid to serve as a spokesperson for a diabetes medication, Victoza.
In a thinly veiled tweet, Bourdain wrote: "Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business, so I can...sell crutches later."
Deen is defending herself, accussing Bourdain of elitism.
"You know, not everybody can afford to pay $58 for prime rib or $650 for a bottle of wine," said Deen (Source: New York Post).
But today Deen is getting a big boost online. Thousands of her fans are posting their support on her Facebook page.
One fan posted: "Hang in there, Miss Paula. You've weathered many storms and this one, too, shall pass."
Many others are questioning Deen's motives in concealing her diabetes for three years.
One blogger writes: "Sorry Paula. I think you hid the disease because the network thought people would dump your show."
And now Deen is in serious damage control to protect her multi-million dollar brand.
She appeared on ABC's The Chew Wednesday to announce a big donation she's making to diabetes research and was presented with a diabetic-friendly birthday cake.
INSIDE EDITION uncovered lost video of Paula Deen in her very first season on TV back in 2003. She was much thinner then, but she already had her deep frier going.
In the episode, Deen said, "One food that can get me up out of my death bed is a potato."
