Is Paula Deen about to announce that she has diabetes? That's what news outlets The Daily and USA Today are reporting. The rumors started in April 2011, when the National Enquirer initially reported that the lovable celebrity chef has Type 2 diabetes.
The Daily says that Paula Deen is "about to come clean and confess that she can't eat her own dishes anymore because she has diabetes." The article goes on to quote a source close to Deen, who alleges that Deen is currently working on a multimillion-dollar endorsement deal with Novartis for one of its drugs.
"Paula Deen is going to have to reposition herself now that she has diabetes," the source said. "She's going to have to start cooking healthier recipes. She can't keep pushing mac and cheese and deep-fried Twinkies when she is hawking a diabetes drug."
Paula Deen's reps have not addressed the diabetes rumors as of this writing. Do you think they're true? Click through the pages below for more recent stories about Deen.
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Paula Deen vs. Dr. Oz
In December, Paula Deen appeared on Dr. Oz's show. The doctor challenged her to cut the calories and fat in her recipes by half.
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Paula Deen Gives Kelly Clarkson Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Singer Kelly Clarkson got some serious help from Paula Deen last Thanksgiving in the form of recipes. Clarkson used Deen's tips for stuffing and pumpkin pie.
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Paula Deen on Jay Leno
Paula Deen made cheeseburger meatloaf with Jay Leno. Fellow guest Jonah Hill politely declined to try some, citing his recent weight loss.
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Paula Deen Named Sexiest Chef
Diabetes or not, Maxim magazine named Paula Deen as the sexiest chef ahead of Padma Lakshmi and Giada De Laurentiis. Interestingly, Maxim explained its selection by writing, "We find danger sexy."
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Paula Deen Sells Butter Lip Balm
Paula Deen's penchant for butter has never been a secret. At her Savannah, Georgia restaurant, customers can actually buy butter-flavored lip balm emblazoned with her smiling face.
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Paula Deen vs. Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain recently blasted Paula Deen, calling her the "worst, most dangerous person to America." Deen responded as only she can -- kindly yet firmly.