Paula Deen: "I beg for your forgiveness"

Paula Deen has issued an apology after admitting to having used racial slurs in the past.

In a video released Friday afternoon, the 66-year-old celebrity chef and Food Network star said, "I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done. I want to learn and grow from this."

"Inappropriate, hurtful language it totally, totally unacceptable," she continued.

The video ends with Deen saying, "Please forgive me for the mistakes that I've made."

Deen came under fire after she admitted to having used racial slurs in the past while being questioned last month in a discrimination lawsuit involving a Savannah, Ga., restaurant she owns with her brother, Earl "Bubba" Biers.

According to a transcript of the deposition, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, an attorney for Jackson asked Deen if she has ever used the N-word.

"Yes, of course," Deen replied, though she added: "It's been a very long time."

Earlier Friday, Deen was a no-show for a scheduled appearance on the "Today" show where she was expected to discuss the issue. She released a second video Friday afternoon explaining why she didn't appear on "Today."

"I was invited this morning to speak with Matt Lauer about a subject that has been very hurtful for a lot of people," she sad. "And Matt, I have to say, I was physically unable this morning. The pain has been tremendous that I have caused to myself and to others."

She added, "I want people to understand that my family and I -- we're not the kind of people that the press is wanting to say we are."