Entertainment
Where Is Paula Deen Now? Inside the Celebrity Chef’s Life After Food Network

NEED TO KNOW
- It has been over a decade since Paula Deen’s Food Network show came to an end in 2013
- The “Queen of Southern Cuisine” has released more cookbooks and recipes since then
- In July 2025, Deen announced the abrupt closure of two of her restaurants, including her flagship eatery, The Lady & Sons
Paula Deen‘s career has had moments of success and controversy.
For more than a decade in the early 2000s, the Georgia native was a staple on television, starring in her own cooking shows, releasing cookbooks and establishing restaurants. But in June 2013, Food Network dropped Dean after she admitted to using a racial slur in the workplace in a sworn deposition, according to The New York Times.
Since then, Deen has largely stayed out of the spotlight. More recently, though, Deen made headlines again when she announced the abrupt closure of two of her restaurants on Aug. 1.
“Hey, y’all, my sons and I made the heartfelt decision that Thursday, July 31st, was the last day of service for The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box,” she wrote in a statement posted on her Facebook and official website. “Thank you for all the great memories and for your loyalty over the past 36 years.”
That same month, on Aug. 20, Deen gave Fox & Friends’ Steve Doocy a tour of her home in Savannah, Ga.
So what happened to Paula Deen? Here’s everything to know about her culinary career and what she’s doing today, years after parting ways with Food Network.
She started her professional culinary career in 1989
Paula Deen/Facebook
In June 1989, Deen started a catering company from her kitchen. She opened The Bag Lady catering company with her “last $200,” according to a June 2025 Facebook post. Deen helped get her business off the ground with the help of her sons, Jamie and Bobby, who would deliver her homemade Southern food to workers in Savannah.
Two years later, in 1991, she opened a buffet restaurant, The Lady, in the lobby of a Best Western Hotel, the Chicago Tribune reported. Deen dedicated herself to the location — alongside her kids and her husband, Michael — until her next venture put her on the map.
In January 1996, the chef launched The Lady & Sons in downtown Savannah, eventually becoming a popular establishment and leading to TV superstardom.
She landed her first show on the Food Network in 2002
Peter Kramer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Deen released her first cookbook, The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook, in April 1998.
According to her official website, Deen then made her television debut on QVC, and in 2002, she starred in her own Food Network show, Paula’s Home Cooking. The cooking TV program ran for 10 years, ending in 2012.
In addition to Paula’s Home Cooking, she starred in Paula’s Party and Paula’s Best Dishes, both of which aired on the Food Network.
She left TV in 2013 after admitting to using racist language in the past
Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty
Paula’s Home Cooking was a staple on the Food Network for a decade, but the channel cut ties with her amid controversy.
In 2012, Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers, were sued by former employee Lisa Jackson for $1.2 million, per CBS News. Lisa previously worked at Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House, an establishment co-owned by Deen and run by Hiers. According to the ex-employee, during her five years as a manager, she experienced sexual harassment and racial discrimination.
The following year, in May 2013, Deen admitted during a deposition that she used a racial slur on a few occasions in the past, CBS News reported. Shortly after, the Food Network announced that it wouldn’t renew the celebrity chef’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of June. In addition, retailers like Walmart and Target stated they would no longer sell Deen’s products and a book deal was scrapped.
As the fallout continued, Deen was scheduled to do a sit-down interview on the Today show, but was a no-show, per CBS News. Instead, she released two apology videos online.
“I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I’ve done,” she said in one of the clips, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I want to learn and grow from this. … Inappropriate hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way. But I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners, I beg for your forgiveness. Please forgive me for the mistakes that I’ve made.”
Following the Food Network’s decision not to renew her contract, Deen released a statement to PEOPLE.
“I have had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country and meeting people who have shared with me the most touching and personal stories,” it read. “This would not have been possible without the Food Network. Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of ya’ll.”
In August 2013, a settlement was reached, though its details weren’t made public, according to ABC News.
She went on to compete on Dancing with the Stars in 2015
Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
While Deen’s tenure on the Food Network was over, her time on television was not.
In June 2014, she embarked on a live tour called Paula Deen Live!, which consisted of 20 shows across the U.S., per the Las Vegas Sun News. Each stop was set to feature a 90-minute session with the celebrity chef who advertised cooking demos, interactive audience games and personal stories.
The following year, Deen competed on season 21 of Dancing with the Stars, which premiered in September 2015.
“Let me tell you—I’m excited and nervous,” she wrote on her website, about appearing on the competition series. “There’s just a whole array of emotions that could overwhelm a person. After all, I’m 68 and startin’ on this physically demanding show.”
In October 2015, Deen was eliminated during the sixth week of the season, but she stayed busy. Earlier that same year, she launched a mobile game and a line of dog food. Deen later released several other products as part of an online shop, including seasonings and jewelry.
She is still releasing cookbooks and sharing recipes online
Tara Ziemba/Getty
In the years since she said goodbye to her Food Network audience, Deen has continued to release cookbooks, her most recent being 2023’s Love and Best Dishes. Her magazine, Cooking with Paula Deen, is still being published today as well; its first issue hit newsstands in 2005.
As for television, Deen debuted her show, Positively Paula, in 2016. It aired for two seasons and a total of 26 episodes. In June 2020, she launched her YouTube channel, where she posts new videos daily to nearly 600,000 subscribers.
She announced the closure of two restaurants in August 2025
James Quine/Alamy Stock Photo; Mediapunch/Shutterstock
On Aug. 1, Deen announced the abrupt closing of two of her eateries, The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box.
“We have endless love and gratitude for every customer who has walked through our doors,” she wrote in a statement posted online. “We are equally grateful to our incredible staff — past and present — whose hard work, care, and hospitality made The Lady & Sons what it was. Savannah will always be our home, and we’ll always be here to support our wonderful community.”
The letter ended with Deen and her sons saying they “will now focus” their attention on the four remaining locations of Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen: Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Nashville, Tenn. and Branson, Mo.
“We’re excited to continue visiting these restaurants regularly, starting with Branson on August 8th,” the statement concluded. A reason for the closing of The Chicken Box and The Lady & Sons was not given.
Deen will appear in the documentary Canceled: The Paula Deen Story, which will revisit the fallout of her career in 2013. The project will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 6.
Entertainment
Oprah’s Roomy Cargo Pants Are a Go-To Fall Style

Welcome to The Blueprint, where we break down the celebrity looks we want to wear right now and build them back up, piece by piece.
Oprah Winfrey is committed to cargo pants, so it’s obvious I have to break up with my boring pocketless pants as soon as possible.
Last fall in New York City, the media mogul wore a pair of big-pocket pants (a style she’s worn before) that prompted a light-bulb realization: I fear I have not given cargos a fighting chance. And for what? Boring pants that only have hidden pockets, or, in many cases, faux ones that can’t even stash a phone.
Not long before Oprah showed off her brown cargos, Gwyneth Paltrow wore a navy blue pair with a cropped trench coat. That gives me another reason to feel confident about trying this offbeat pants style.
Raymond Hall/GC
The rest of Oprah’s look was grand, too: Her purple sweater was ideal for fall thanks to its three-quarter sleeves, plus her comfy sneakers finished it with polished comfort (she also wore heels with the outfit at another point in the day, but let’s keep it casual). We rounded up similar big-pocket pants, sweaters, and kicks inspired by the TV icon.
Oprah’s Outfit Blueprint
MoFiz Cargo Capris, $37 with coupon
Amazon
When I use regular pockets, I’m super careful because, most of the time, they’re not deep enough, so things tend to fall out when I’m sitting. In other words, they’re not that secure, and that’s why I’m picking out pants with pockets that have more room or more compartments.
These from Amazon are “very durable” and “silky” to the touch, per the reviews. Also, according to one shopper who wore them while hiking, “The pockets were big enough to hold my phone and Chapstick, so I didn’t have to carry a big bag.” They also have drawstring cuffs, so you can tie them up if you don’t want to dirty them when walking around outdoors.
Liyohon Turtleneck Top
Amazon
I can’t stand feeling like an overstuffed burrito with a thick sweater packed into an even thicker coat in the fall or winter. So, I usually choose thinner layers, but I want them to keep me at least a little warm. This turtleneck “feels more like a light sweater than a T-shirt,” according to one shopper, and it has been worn under dresses and blazers, per many others.
The purple shade here is a little lighter than Oprah’s, but the three-quarter-length sleeves are, in my opinion, the most important thing to focus on here.
Somiliss Leather Suede Patchwork Sneakers
Amazon
Oprah also pulled a sneaky move when she did a little shoe change. We don’t know which pair came first — heels or sneakers — but I personally am a “go comfortable or go home” shoe gal, so I’m choosing option B.
In my book, suede makes anything more fall-worthy, but it can be tricky on shoes. I don’t want to have to spritz a protectant spray all over, so a pair with just a little bit of the soft texture feels easier to manage long term. The soles on these look serrated like Oprah’s, which make me believe that they’d be incredibly grippy.
Keep scrolling to shop more Amazon finds inspired by Oprah’s outfit, including more brown cargo pants, purple three-quarter-sleeve tops, and white sneakers.
Moosehill Wide-Leg Cargo Pants
Amazon
Lepunuo High-Waisted Cargo Pants
Amazon
Dokotoo Striped Knit Pullover Sweater, $32 with coupon
Amazon
JomeDesign Three-Quarter-Sleeve Sweater
Amazon
Sernial White Platform Sneakers
Amazon
Entertainment
Karlie Kloss welcomes third baby with husband Joshua Kushner

Karlie Kloss’ brood just got bigger.
The model has given birth to her and husband Joshua Kushner’s third baby — a girl. Kushner announced the news via Instagram Saturday by posting a photo of the newborn and revealing her name: “Rae Florence 9.18.2025 🤍.”
The former Victoria’s Secret Angel announced her pregnancy news in a March Instagram post debuting her bump.
“Three’s a party 🥹🫶🎉,” Kloss wrote at the time.
The caption referenced her and Kushner’s eldest two children — sons Levi and Elijah — who appeared in the social media upload.
Levi was born in March 2021, followed by Elijah in July 2023.
While awaiting baby No. 3, Kloss continued to show off her budding belly at the Met Gala, WNBA games and more events.
She rocked a black off-the-shoulder gown to ring in Kushner’s 40th birthday at a star-studded bash in June.
“I have loved growing up together, and can’t wait to grow old together,” Kloss captioned a celebratory tribute to the “love of [her] life and best friend” via Instagram.
The Kode With Klossy founder and Kushner have been together since 2012.
The businessman got down on one knee in July 2018, and the duo walked down the aisle in upstate New York three months post-proposal.
The duo went on to have a second wedding ceremony in Wyoming in 2019.
Although the pair primarily keep their romance out of the public eye over the years, Kloss insisted to Net-a-Porter in 2018 that they “have nothing to hide.”
In May, she explained to “Aspire” podcast listeners that their “partnership is so solid” because they met when she was a teenager.
“We’ve grown up together,” Kloss gushed. “He’s always been my biggest champion.”
Entertainment
Prince Harry Made Secret Visit to Another Member of Royal Family During U.K. Trip

NEED TO KNOW
- Prince Harry’s four-day visit to the U.K. included a secret visit to another member of the royal family
- According to Hello!, Harry visited Kensington Palace to pay his respects to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, following the death of his wife, Katharine, the Duchess of Kent
- Harry “loved catching up with family, friends and colleagues” during his trip to Britain, a source said
Prince Harry’s four-day visit to the U.K. included a reunion with his father, King Charles, after nearly two years, as well as a secret visit to another member of the royal family.
According to a report from Hello! published on Saturday, Sept. 20, Harry, 41, privately visited Kensington Palace to “personally pay his respects and offer condolences” to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, following the death of his wife, Katharine, the Duchess of Kent. She died on Sept. 4 at the age of 92.
Although Harry was not able to attend Katharine’s funeral on Sept. 16, as he had already left the U.K., a source close to the Duke of Sussex told the outlet that he “loved catching up with family, friends and colleagues.”
“His only regret was not being able to stay longer and see more people, but the meetings in Ukraine had been in the diary for a long time, and it mattered to him to be there in person to see the Invictus Games Foundation’s growing work and the progress at Superhumans,” the source added.
“The whole trip felt like a real success for everyone involved,” the source said. “His passion for his patronages and the causes he cares about hasn’t dimmed one bit — he’s already buzzing to get back and do more.”
Victoria Jones/Shutterstock
The Duke of Sussex made several public appearances during his U.K. trip, including at the WellChild Awards in London on Sept. 8, where he crouched to greet children, wrapped families in hugs and cracked jokes. In Nottingham the next day, he danced into a room at the Community Recording Studio (CRS), laughing and bantering with young activists.
“He’s still the same person,” said CRS’s Trevor Rose. “He wants to feel the energy here. He cares — and that’s the main thing.”
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One of the most newsworthy moments came when Harry arrived at Clarence House on Sept. 10, and disappeared inside for a long-awaited, private meeting with King Charles. He emerged just under one hour later — and experts were quick to point out that this visit could be the first step on the road to reconciliation with his father.
“It’s a massive step in the right direction,” Queen Elizabeth’s former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson told PEOPLE following the historic meeting. “It’s a building of trust.”
Chris Jackson/Getty
Harry and the King, 76, have been estranged for more than 18 months. As PEOPLE previously reported, the meeting not only served as a chance for the Duke of Sussex to rekindle his relationship with his father, but also with his brother, Prince William.
While the encounter marked a hopeful step forward, royal insiders caution that a long road lies ahead before full reconciliation can take place.
“It shows the way forward,” an insider with ties to both sides told PEOPLE. “It is a good starting point.”
Just a few days after the meeting, Harry made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, with his Invictus Games Foundation and spoke with The Guardian while there.
“The focus really has to be on my dad,” he said, while also acknowledging his past revelations in interviews and his memoir Spare. “My conscience is clear.”
When asked if he will ever bring his children to the U.K. despite his security concerns, Harry told the outlet, “Yes, I would. This week has definitely brought that closer.”
“Whatever has gone on in the past, it is good to see the family trying to repair itself or communicate at least,” a source with close ties to the palace added to PEOPLE. “Everyone has to have compassion for all sides.”
After visiting the U.K. and Ukraine, Harry returned to Montecito, Calif., to be with wife Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. On Saturday, Sept. 20, Meghan, 44, and Harry stepped out together to the One805LIVE! concert, which supports Santa Barbara County’s first responders and was held at Kevin Costner‘s oceanside estate in California.