ATLANTA (AP) — Celebrity chef Paula Deen, who was scheduled to appear on national television to address controversy over racial slurs, abruptly cancelled Friday.

Anchors for NBC's "Today" show told viewers Friday that Deen had traveled to New York to appear, but was a "no show" for the interview.

Host Matt Lauer said he spoke with Deen on Thursday morning to arrange the interview, but her representatives told the show she was exhausted after her flight and wouldn't appear.

Controversy arose after the Food Network star was questioned as part of a discrimination lawsuit involving a Savannah restaurant she partly owns. According to a transcript of the deposition, an attorney asked Deen if she has ever used the N-word. She replied "Yes, of course," though she added: "It's been a very long time."