What's Cooking? Paula Deen Dons Purple Gown & Whips Up Butter At 'Dancing With The Stars' Flash Mob Event –– Check Out The Fun In 8 Clicks
Sep. 11 2015, Published 10:07 a.m. ET
Paula Deen's career rehabilitation tour continued with a Dancing With The Stars flash mob event in Hollywood Thursday night, where she wore a purple dress and whipped butter.
Paula Deen (with dance partner Louis van Amstel) was front-and-center in her chef's apron to promote her stint on Dancing With The Stars' 21st season.
The Southern chef wore a garish purple gown, days ahead of the show's season premiere at 8/7c on Monday on ABC.
The 68-year-old Deen looks to help boost her sagging image with a strong run on the show, two years after a racism controversy caused the Food Network to unceremoniously fire her. Judging from the aftermath of the careers of stars caught in similar scandals -- such as Mel Gibson and Michael Richards -- it will be an uphill battle for her.
The Savannah, Ga. native stands alongside partner van Amstel, the Dutch dancer who has been paired with celebs from Kelly Osbourne to Priscilla Presley in their stints on the show. She wrote on her blog: "You know, I'm crazy about Louis. I like his eyes. He has kind eyes."
Deen has a lighter moment holding a bowl full of butter sticks at the promotional event.
Deen's competition on the show includes Tamar Braxton, Chaka Khan and Kim Zolciak, among others in the fall 2015 installment of the ABC competition.
Deen said she's "excited and nervous" to appear on the show, adding that "there's just a whole array of emotions that could overwhelm a person" associated with the experience.
The late Steve Irwin's daughter Bindi, who's also competing, danced draped in a huge snake at the event.
Backstreet Boy alum Nick Carter, another of Deen's competitors, seemed a bit weary as he let out a giant yawn while checking his phone.