>>> in the world of food, especially now that food is such a big part of television, she is a household name. paula deen , is the celebrity chef , a fixture on the tv cooking circuit. but tonight she has lost her job at the food network after she admitted in a lawsuit that she had used racial slurs in the past. today she tried to limit the damage, but it was apparently too late. our report tonight from nbc's katie couric .
>> today is all about spices.
>> reporter: the self-proclaimed queen of southern cooking, paula deen is boast moan for her over-the-top concoctions.
>> so delicious.
>> reporter: but today the celebrity chef put away her recipes and went to work defending her reputation. more contrite than charming southern host.
>> -- inappropriate, hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable.
>> reporter: in a 45-second edited video posted on youtube, the food network star responded to fierce criticism after she admitted to using racial slurs in the past.
>> i beg for your forgiveness.
>> reporter: she was apologizing for comments she made in a legal deposition. dean and her brother are being sued for discrimination by a former employee who is white. they deny the claims. in the deposition, the 66-year-old is asked if she's ever used the "n" word. she answered yes, of course. adding it was to describe a black man who put a gun to my head while she was working as a bank employee. when asked? if she's used it since then, she said i'm sure i have, but it's been a very long time. this morning she was supposed to be here at the "today" show so explain her comments but she never showed up.
>> early this morning we are hearing she is too xaulsed to show up and so she is not with us.
>> reporter: this afternoon, deen replaced the first video with a second unedited version.
>> offer my sincere apologies to those that i have hurt. and i hope that you forgive me.
>> reporter: late today the food network announced lit not renew paula deen 's contract when it expires at the end of this month.
>> she can come back. in fact, anyone can come back, but it is very difficult. you must have a repentant heart. you must change your behavior. you must be consistent. and you must be believable.
>> reporter: paula deen 's business empire is worth an estimated $17 million and includes 14 cookbooks, six restaurants, a bimonthly magazine with a million readers, merchandise, and endorsement deals. nbc news, new york.
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