As Paula Deen loses even more sponsors and deals from her racial slur scandal, many celebrities are coming to the defense of the celebrity chef.

"I think it's a little harsh," said comedian Kevin Hart at the red carpet premiere of Let Me Explain in LA on Thursday. Deen has lost most of her business deals, including Walmart, Target and Sears in addition to her Food Network firing.

"I think she did make a crucial mistake and there should be consequences," Hart added, but he implied that the punishment she has received has been too severe.

"They're taking everything from her . . . they took her sponsors, you gotta leave her with something," he said. "She's got to survive. At some point, you gotta say, 'Let's ease up.'"

Rapper T-Pain, who was also at the red carpet premiere, agreed with Hart's assessment. "She was treated very unfairly," he said. The rapper seemed confident that she would have a comeback sooner rather than later. "I think she's got three months, and she'll be back cooking on TV," he added.

Shock jock Howard Stern discussed the scandal on his radio show on Wednesday, rhetorically asking, "I mean...are we really gonna say that if someone takes the stand and admits to using the n-word . . . and is being honest . . . I'm just wondering . . . Why is she losing her job?"

Despite rising to no. 1 on the Amazon Bestsellers List from preorders alone, Paula Deen's New Testament: 250 Favorite Recipes, All Lightened Up was called off by the book's publisher on Friday. Random House imprint Ballantine canceled a multi-book deal they had with Deen after "careful consideration" on Friday. Regardless, Deen's literary agent, Janis Donnaud said she feels "confident that these books will be published and that we will have a new publisher."

As for what's next for Deen, rumors have begun swirling that she may join Dancing With the Stars when the show returns this fall. An insider close to the show said that producers "would love to have Paula join the cast of next season," adding that producers have a history of casting troubled celebrities like Kate Gosselin and Bristol Palin.

Watch Deen's tearful interview on Wednesday's The Today Show:

Tags: Paula Deen Dancing with the Stars