Paula Deen: Martha Stewart, survivor of public scandal, sympathizes

Paula Deen may be in crisis mode, but who better to call a supporter than fellow Food Network alum and domestic comeback queen Martha Stewart? On Wednesday night’s episode of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live,” Stewart expressed sympathy for Deen’s current situation.

“I feel sorry for Paula Deen,” said Stewart.

Stewart is no stranger to a public scandal. In 2005, she spent five months in jail for her involvement in an insider trading scheme.

“She’s a public figure,” said Stewart. “And I know you have to be extremely careful being a public figure.”

If there’s anyone who can offer Deen advice on how to come back into the spotlight swinging a spatula, it’s Stewart. She was able to rebuild her post-scandal empire with multiple magazines, books and utility apps, lifestyle products, TV programming and a radio show.

PHOTOS: The Paula Deen scandal

“I don’t want to say whether I agree or not,” said Stewart. “I just feel you have to really watch yourself especially, especially in this day and age with cameras all over you and Google.”

Deen is hard-pressed for supporters at the moment, after having admitted to using a racial slur in a legal deposition last week. The controversy sparked a domino effect of fleeing partners and sponsors, quick to disassociate their brands with Deen.

Deen appeared on the “Today” sow Wednesday, but it didn’t seem to stop the corporate bleeding. Most recently, Target Corp. announced it would stop carrying Deen’s products and Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk said it would suspend its Type 2 diabetes patient education activities with Deen.

Food Network announced it would not renew Deen’s contract and Smithfield Foods, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Caesars casinos have all backed out of business deals with Deen.

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