Amy Doner, president of the Amy Doner Group, which brokers deals between celebrities and pharmaceutical companies, said the fact that the company had left open the possibility of resuming its relationship with Ms. Deen indicated that she had been an effective spokeswoman. Ms. Doner, who was not involved in the deal between Ms. Deen and Novo Nordisk, said she would not be surprised if the campaign resumed at some point.

“America loves a comeback,” she said. “She has admitted her mistake.”

Ms. Doner declined to discuss the money that celebrities earn from working with pharmaceutical companies. “I have done deals from $5,000 to $2 million” she said. When told Ms. Deen had received $6 million over two years, she said, “That’s a significant amount of money.”

The cascade of cancellations has followed the revelation last week that after being sued by a former restaurant employee who charged discrimination, Ms. Deen admitted in a deposition that she had used racial slurs. The Food Network has stopped showing her programs, and Smithfield Foods has dropped her as a spokeswoman.

QVC, which had said earlier that it was reviewing its relationship with Ms. Deen, said it was troubled by her past remarks. While she responds to the accusations, the company said, she and her products will not appear on the channel.

“Some of you may wonder whether this is a ‘forever’ decision — whether we are simply ending our association with Paula,” it said in a statement. “We don’t think that’s how relationships work. People deserve second chances.”

The one bright spot for Ms. Deen on Thursday came from Amazon.com, where her coming cookbook of diabetes-friendly recipes rose to the No. 1 best-seller slot.