Fans think Paula Deen looks 'so skinny' in new cooking show video 11 years after Food Network firing

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: Former Food Network star Paula Deen has made fans do a double-take as she showcased a noticeably slimmer figure in the latest installment of her internet cooking series, 'Love & Best Dishes.'

The 77-year-old, who previously sparked rumors of Ozempic use, looked almost unrecognizable as she shared her delicious breakfast pizza casserole recipe on the YouTube show.

Fans eager to know about Paula Deen's transformation as she looks thinner in new video 

In the Tuesday, August 6 episode, the Georgia resident stood confidently behind her kitchen island, whipping up the comfort dish with her trademark Southern flair.

The beloved cook, who parted ways with Food Network in 2013, appeared significantly leaner than in her television heyday.

Looking chic and sleek, Deen stepped in front of the camera sporting a long-sleeved white shirt paired with matching pants, accentuated by a bold orange necklace and coordinating earrings.

With her white locks swept back into a ponytail and most of her face hidden behind clear-framed oversized glasses, Paula's slimmer figure was hard to miss.

Her noticeably thinner face and physique caught fans’ attention, with one even taking to the comments section to ask about her transformation.

One person wrote, "Great Paula so skinny," and another said, "She's been seriously paying attention to her diet and activity levels. Due to health reasons." One more wrote, "How do you all stay skinny? Love you Paula." 

According to Mashed, Deen has faced significant health issues, primarily related to Type 2 diabetes. While she was diagnosed in 2008, she kept the information private for three years, revealing it publicly in early 2012.

This secrecy led to considerable backlash, particularly because she was known for promoting high-calorie, butter-laden recipes, which many felt contradicted her health condition.

Critics argued that her continued promotion of unhealthy food while concealing her diabetes was irresponsible, especially given the rising obesity epidemic in the US.

After her diagnosis, Deen made substantial changes to her lifestyle, including a significant weight loss of nearly 40 pounds. She reportedly adopted a healthier diet, eliminating many high-carb and high-sugar foods from her meals.

Food Network dropped Paula Deen after she was sued for making racist remarks

Back in her TV days, Paula Deen was known for her signature look: a fuller face framed by voluminous, bouncy curls that fell just above her shoulders.

Today, the 77-year-old has transformed into a social media sensation, boasting over 550k subscribers on YouTube and nearly the same number of followers on Instagram.

This new chapter in her fame comes years after her controversial exit from television when she was fired from her cooking show following accusations of making racist remarks.

Deen first captured the public's attention in the early 2000s as a celebrated chef, restaurant owner, and cookbook author, as per The US Sun. 

Her rise to stardom was solidified in 2002 when she landed her own show, 'Paula's Home Cooking' on the Food Network, a hit that ran for a decade and propelled her into the spotlight.

However, in June 2013, her career took a hit when Lisa Jackson, the former general manager of one of her restaurants, Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House, sued her.

During the legal proceedings, Deen admitted to having used racial slurs in the past but distanced herself from their "cruel" connotations. Her representative later clarified to TMZ, "Ms Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable. She is looking forward to her day in court."

Despite her attempts to defend herself, the fallout was swift. Food Network ended Deen's 14-year tenure, opting not to renew her contract.

In a bid to repair her image, Deen appeared on 'Today' and firmly stated, "I am not a racist." She later attempted a TV comeback in 2016 with 'Positively Paula' on RFD-TV, but the show was canceled after just two seasons.

These days, she has embraced social media, regularly connecting with her fans online and enjoying life with her husband of 20 years, Michael Groover.

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