Hangin Mr. Cooper. In The Sheet of The Night. Ida Beef Wellington. Porch Monkey Bread.
Yea, this week Twitter killed Paula Deen’s brand and career. Well actually her words and bullshit apology did – but trending topics like #PaulasBestDishes and #PaulaDeanShows have proven that hashtags are more powerful than almost anything right now (especially Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton).
From Kobe Bryant (Colorado, big ASS ring) to Tiger Woods (that infamous Thanksgiving 2009…) to Lance Armstrong (1 Ball!), celebrities are constantly killing their brands either through a single word, phrase, interview, or a simple night (or more than one night) of passion (a la infidelity). You’d think that people in such great and blessed positions of power would hold their tongue knowing that in an age of social media and smart phones everything gets out but NOOOOOOO.
So, what lessons can we learn from Paula Deens brand demise? First and formost, shut the hell up. All we want you to do is cook and then attempt to copy your recipies and pass them off as our own at Sunday brunches, holiday gatherings, office potlucks or to impress that winter boo. We don’t want to know your religious (ie Scientology a la Will Smith and Tom Cruise) or your racial beliefs. We just want you to cook, play the game, act or sing. That’s it. Ummmkay?
As we all know, celebrities are continuously under scrutiny from the media, their fans and the paps, etc., and it’s sometimes difficult to separate the idealized version of these people to the reality of their true lives. As true fans, we want to see and want them to be heroes and these expectations in some ways shroud the reality of one’s true character. In some cases, celebrities work hard to control their image and will go to great lengths to protect that.
Lets take Lance Armstrong for example. One Ball, as we call him, went to great lengths to protect his image, and when his true image came out for all to see, there was really nothing he could do to protect it. Not even Oprah could help him salvage the “mistakes” he made. Lance Armstrong fought tooth and nail to protect his personal brand and his “Livestrong” brand by controlling every aspect of each. He went on the attack for anyone who would attempt to diminish these brands. When the Sunday Times of London accused Lance Armstrong of using illegal performance enhancement drugs, rather than taking the humble approach, he went on the attack and sued the newspaper for libel. Winning was so important to One Ball, that he cheated in the sport and was so self-centered, he couldn’t believe that anyone should try to tarnish that image. He even stated in his interview with Oprah that in his mind “cheating” was just having a “competitive edge.” He was able to justify his own actions, and went through deliberate actions to protect his secrets.
It’s crazy because I have so much respect for anyone that has endured what Armstrong went through in regards to his battle with cancer. I supported the Livestrong brand by purchasing the yellow plastic wristbands like millions of others many years ago and cheering him on in every tournament. But yea, he fucked up.
Paula Deen has been going thru it since last fall when it was discovered that she had Type 2 diabetes. With recipes such as the Krispy Kreme Hamburger (the name alone makes my mouth water and sends my body into a diabetic shock all at the same time) and continuously advocating “finishing butter” (http://www.wtsp.com/news/health/article/320299/12/Paula-Deen-releases-line-of-finishing-butter) she became sick eating the food that not only made her millions and helped to launch her brand but also the same food that many told her would make her sick. But even then, America loved her.
The question here is will Deen be able to bounce back from this social media outcry (albeit hilarious use of a hashtag) that led to The Food Network stating that they would not renew their contract after June 2013? I honestly say don’t count her out. Kobe’s still bouncing a basketball (well he was but the demise of the Lakers is a whole other blog post), Tiger is getting his swing back, and Armstrong, well yea about those Lakers…
I’ve said this time and time again, you are your brand. Therefore, protect it like it’s your baby and don’t do anything stupid to tarnish it. Point blank – just shut up and go to work. And when things do go south – don’t do dumb apologies like this one http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu6Us7fpr00. Just be humble. Admit you’re wrong. And lets all move on with life. By the way, what is up with the color of HER skin in that clip?
I still wonder if Oprah will get the rights to the first interview. I’m sure she’s one of her favorite n….(sorry I had to)
#BOOM
Website(s): http://www.NOLA-Ice.com and http://www.CaulfieldHoldings.com
THE ENTREPRENEGRO 