Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
TagsBY CHRISTINE SAVOIA
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Southern chef and television personality Paula Deen received a backlash Tuesday after revealing on the "Today Show" that she has type 2 diabetes.
Despite being diagnosed in 2008, Deen has not made her diagnosis public until now, simultaneously revealing that she is the new paid spokesperson for Victoza, a non-insulin medication for adults with type 2 diabetes.
The news did not come as a surprise to most, as Deen is known for fatty and sometimes over-the-top comfort food recipes, such as the Lady’s Brunch Burger, an egg and bacon topped cheeseburger sandwiched between two glazed donuts.
According to the New York Times, many fans expressed support for Deen, while "many others questioned her motives in concealing the condition for so long, or said they spotted hypocrisy in her decision to profit from an illness that they believe she had abetted."
In addition a strong reaction from fans, other celebrities took jabs at Deen for her agreement with Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Victoza.
According to the USA Today,” fellow celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain took a shot at her on Twitter for disclosing her news only after she had a drug endorsement deal lined up.” Bourdain tweeted, "Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business, so I can profitably sell crutches later."
Deen appeared on “The Chew” yesterday, defending both her condition and her partnership with Novo Nordisk. After Deen reinforced once again that her condition is not a death sentence, “her sons chimed in, explaining how the deal will help millions of people and she will inspire people to go to the doctor to get checked,” according to the Huffington Post.
Deen’s son Bobby has a new show, “Not My Mama’s Meals,” which aired this month on the Cooking Channel. The show features lighter, healthier versions of his mother’s recipes.
