Walmart drops Paula Deen after racist remarks

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, distanced itself from cooking star Paula Deen, saying it would end new business with her company after she made racist remarks. "We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed," said Danit Marquardt, a Walmart spokesperson, on Wednesday. "We will work with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements." It was the latest body blow to the small empire of the 66-year-old celebrity chef who has styled herself as the queen of US Southern cooking. She also has been dropped by The Food Network, Smithfield Foods, Caesars Entertainment and Home Depot. Deen is a culinary institution in the United States. In addition to hosting several television shows, she has published more than a dozen cookbooks, opened two restaurants (including Bubba's) in Savannah, Georgia, and launched product lines. The silver-haired, blue-eyed chef has faced criticism over her remarks in a deposition for a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee. Deen admitted in the document to using racist language in the workplace. "I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done. I want to learn and grow from this," Deen said haltingly in a first video posted on YouTube that was later removed from the video-sharing website. "Inappropriate and hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable." In a longer video, Deen said that "your color of your skin, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter." "I was wrong, yes, I've worked hard, and I have 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," she added, more composed this time. Lisa Jackson, the general manager of Uncle Bubba's Oyster House, filed a lawsuit against Deen last year claiming she had suffered sexual and racial discrimination at work. Known for her love of butter and fried fare, Deen is no stranger to controversy. Last year, fans were outraged when she announced she had Type 2 diabetes and that same day backed diabetes drug Victoza and teamed up with its manufacturer Novo Nordisk in a lucrative deal.