Paula Deen Makes First Public Appearance Since Scandal

Paula Deen, celebrity chef, made her first public appearance since June and had to fight back tears while she was greeted by a crowd of supporters.

According to ABC News, Deen received a standing ovation when she walked on stage to join her sons, Jamie and Bobby Dean, at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Houston on Saturday.

Deen even teared up as she reflected on what she called “rough patch” that she experienced this summer.

“These are tears of joy, y’all,” Deen told the audience. “I’ve said all along that the one place I’d want to make my first step back out is Texas. Y’all’s hearts are as big as your state.”

According to the Houston Chronicle, nearly 1,500 cheered Deen on during the standing ovation Saturday.

Paula Deen’s struggles began back in May when she admit to using a derogatory racial term, which brought on a storm of negative publicity, which many believed would ruin the celebrity chef’s career.

Recently, The Inquisitr reported that Paula Deen’s lawsuit was officially dismissed by US District Judge William T. Moore Jr.

According to the report, the lawsuit had been filed by Lisa Jackson, a former employee. Jackson contends that Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers subjected her to racial discrimination. She further argued that Deen and Heirs were mentally and physically abusive.

The Inquisitr continued on to say that Paula Deen was relieved about the dismissal, and ready to move forward from the controversy:

“While this has been a difficult time for both my family and myself, I am pleased that the judge dismissed the race claims, and I am looking forward to getting this behind me, now that the remaining claims have been resolved.”

The celebrity chef still has plenty of followers that where very excited to see her, and according to ABC News, Paula Deen has scheduled a number of book signings throughout the year.

[Image by kai hecker / Shutterstock.com]