VIDEO: Watch Paula Deen's Emotional Interview on TODAY

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Beleaguered celebrity chef Paula Deen gave an emotional interview on this morning's TODAY show on NBC. The appearance, which was originally scheduled for last week until Deen's rep canceled it citing 'exhaustion', is her first time in the public eye since she admitted to having used racial epithets in her past. Watch the interview in full below!

Choked up with emotion, Deen told TODAY anchor Matt Lauer that she is not a racist and that as a businesswoman, she does not agree with Food Network's recent decision to fire her. "Would I have fired me? Knowing me? No," Deen maintained. "I am so very thankful for the partners I have who believe in me."

She also admitted that she was unsure if using the N-word was offensive to black people. "I don't know, I have asked myself that so many times," Deen said. "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."

Asked by Lauer whether or not she considered herself a racist, Deen replied simply, "No. I believe that ... every one of God's creatures is created equal. I believe that everyone should be treated equal, that's the way I was raised and that's the way I live my life"

Deen became a a target of media frenzy last week when her admission that she's used the N-word and had considered throwing a "plantation-style" wedding was disclosed during a legal deposition on May 17. By Friday, Food Network announced it was canceling Deen's contract, after she began posting a series of strange apology videos on YouTube.

By Monday, Smithfield Foods terminated its endorsement deal with her, and QVC, Sears and Target were all reevaluating their relationship with the chef, who according to Forbes, earned a whopping $17 million in 2012 through her entrepreneurial ventures.

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