A new documentary exploring the life and controversies of celebrity chef Paula Deen has premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Titled Cancelled: The Paula Deen Story, the film is directed by Billy Corben, best known for Cocaine Cowboys.
The documentary examines Deen’s rise from running a Savannah restaurant to becoming a Food Network star with a culinary empire, while also addressing the scandals that reshaped her public image.
Deen and her sons, Bobby and Jamie, appear in the film to discuss their family’s struggles, her path to success, and the fallout from her widely publicised controversies.
The project also includes commentary from television producer Gordon Elliott, who helped bring Deen to national attention, and food historian Michael W. Twitty, who provides context on the cultural and racial issues surrounding the backlash.
Much of the focus is placed on Deen’s 2013 deposition, during which she admitted to using a racial slur in the past. The admission, made during a workplace discrimination lawsuit, sparked widespread criticism and led to the collapse of major business deals.
The documentary revisits this moment as a turning point, while also addressing other controversies, including her handling of her diabetes diagnosis and workplace complaints tied to her restaurants.
Corben’s film questions whether Deen was treated unfairly by the media and public or whether her actions justified the backlash she received. In doing so, it places her story within broader cultural debates about accountability, cancellation, and race in America.
Premiering in Toronto, Cancelled: The Paula Deen Story is positioned as both a retelling of Deen’s career and a case study on the intersection of celebrity, scandal, and shifting cultural standards.
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