Paula Deen left fans doing a double, if not triple, take by sharing a rare throwback photo of herself — one that left many of her followers all saying versions of the same thing: “Is that really you?”
The former Food Network star — Deen was memorably disgraced by the entertainment industry after her highly-publicized racism scandal (and admissions) in 2013 — took to Instagram on Thursday, June 19, to post an old photo of herself from the 1980s. The picture, Deen explained in the caption, was significant because it was the start of her cooking empire.
“36 years, I embarked on a journey that would change my life,” the former Paula’s Best Dishes host wrote. “I started The Bag Lady with my last $200. Isn’t it incredible how far we can go when our backs are against the wall?”
Deen, who is known for her trademark silver hair, instead sported short, dark red locks in the photo, along with rimless glasses and a white apron tied around her waist.
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Fans were floored.
“That’s not Paula Dean [sic] 😯,” one person wrote in surprise.
“Wow I didn’t know that was you!” another commented.
“Does not look like you!!!” a third agreed, remarking at the stark difference of her hair then and her trademark mane now.
“NO way Paula was a ginger!! Love it!” another fan wrote.
While Deen’s highly offensive racism scandal cost her nearly everything in the entertainment industry — she was fired from the Food Network, lost huge brand deals, and was generally condemned for her racist admissions — the celebrity chef has maintained a following of fans on social media … and in real life. Deen still has multiple restaurants across the South, as well as her flagship restaurant, The Lady & Sons, in Savannah, Georgia.