Paula Deen Drops Agent After Scandal
As Paula Deen's empire crumbles after the release of the leaked deposition two weeks ago, it turns out Paula Deen will be cutting some ties of her own.
The Associated Press reports that Deen has cut business ties with agent Barry Weiner (affectionately known as "Barry Cuda" to her family), effectively cutting ties with Artists Agency. Weiner has been Deen's agent for more than a decade, getting her show Paula's Home Cooking on Food Network back in 2002 and even orchestrating the Novo Nordisk deal when Deen announced her type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
However, it seems these last two weeks of scandal, where Food Network dropped Deen and Novo Nordisk suspended the deal, have been too much. "Paula Deen has separated from her agent," Deen's spokeswoman, Elana Weiss, sent out in an email. "She and her family thank him for the tireless effort and dedication over the many years."
No further insight has been given as to why Deen is splitting with Weiner, although the statement reportedly ends, "Paula wishes him well in all future endeavors."