Paula Deen Today Show Interview Gets Emotional (VIDEO)

After ditching the Today Show last Friday Paula Deen appeared in the studio Wednesday morning in an exclusive interview with Matt Lauer. While Deen began the interview composed she later broke down in tears. Lauer didn't throw any softballs though he continued pushing even after Deen was struggling.

Deen defended herself.

I believe that every creature on this earth every one of God's creatures was created equal she said. She also insisted she's not racist and that there have been some very hurtful lies said about me.

Lauer asked Deen if given the same circumstances would you have fired you She paused and then responded No. He also asked her if she was a racist which she also said no. The day I used that word was a world ago I had a gun put to my head.

When asked whether people find the n word racist Deen said I don t know I have asked myself that so many times. I go into my kitchens and hear what these young people are calling each other. It s very distressing for me. I think for this problem to be worked on these young people are gonna have to take control and start showing respect for each other.

Deen appeared extremely distressed at times but was also adamant about her personal views and ethics. I know my love for people and im not going to sit here and tell everything I've done for people of color she states. I would never hurt anyone on purpose.

She told Lauer I'm heartbroken. I've had to hold friends in my arms while they've sobbed because they know what has been said about me. It's not true.

The interview ended with Deen saying I is what I is and I'm not changing. She references the evil out there and horrible lies.

If there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back please pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me she said. Please. I want to meet you.

Watch the full segment below.

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Loading Slideshow Morning Of June 19 National Enquirer Reports On Racist Statements

On the heels of Paula Deen's a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/paula deen racist comments n word caught on video_n_3467287.html target _blank finishing butters announcement/a the National Enquirer claims that it has obtained video of Paula Deen a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/paula deen racist comments n word caught on video_n_3467287.html target _blank making racist statements/a.

Afternoon Of June 19 HuffPost Obtains Paula Deen's Deposition

And confirms a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/paula deen racist comments n word caught on video_n_3467287.html target _blank remarks/a.

Afternoon Of June 19 PaulasBestDishes Trends On Twitter

Mixing a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/paulas best dishes twitter reactions allegations of racism_n_3467877.html target _blank recipes with racism/a.

Evening Of June 19 Food Network Monitors The Situation

And a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/20/paula deen food network_n_3471453.html target _blank releases a statement/a.

Afternoon Of June 20 Questions About Her Future Surface

Is her career a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/paula deen racist comments_n_3477536.html target _blank doomed/a

Evening Of June 20 Deen Gets Skewered On 'Daily Show'

a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/daily show paula deen_n_3477924.html target _blank Type II racism/a y'all.

Morning Of June 21 Deen Bails On The Today Show

The program was a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/paula deen today show_n_3477825.html target _blank supposed to have the exclusive/a.

Morning Of June 21 Matt Lauer Was Not Happy

Nor was a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/today show paula deen cancellation matt lauer_n_3478187.html target _blank Al Roker/a.

Afternoon Of June 21 Deen Issues THREE Different Apologies

Things got a little a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/paula deen apology_n_3479279.html target _blank messy and sad/a.

Late Afternoon Of June 21 Food Network Drops Paula Deen

Her contract was a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/paula deen fired food network cancels show after racism scandal_n_3480517.html utm_hp_ref food123 target _blank set to expire/a.

Evening Of June 21 Paula Deen Fans Erupt On Food Network Page

They are a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/food network facebook_n_3480903.html utm_hp_ref food123 target _blank not happy/a.

Sunday June 23 More Allegations Arise

It's a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/23/paula deen scandal continues employees tell rainbow push alleged discrimination_n_3484607.html utm_hp_ref food123 target _blank not over/a yet.

Monday June 24 Smithfield Drops Dean

Other companies still a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/paula deen smithfield endorsement over company drops deen in wake of racist remarks_n_3495314.html target _blank mulling their future/a with Deen.

Tuesday June 25 Paula Deen Cruise Adds Extra Date

Fans are a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/paula deen cruise_n_3499047.html utm_hp_ref food123 target _hplink standing by her/a.

Wednesday June 26 Caesars Drops Deen

They are a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/paula deen caesars entertainment_n_3503411.html utm_hp_ref food123 target _hplink re branding her four buffets/a.

Wednesday June 26 Deen Gives Emotional Interview

There are a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/paula deen today show_n_3501825.html utm_hp_ref business target _hplink a lot of tears/a.

Wednesday June 26 Walmart Drops Deen

The world's largest retailer said it will not place a href http //www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/walmart paula deen_n_3505258.html target _blank any new orders beyond what's already committed/a.

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