Ellen DeGeneres spoke publicly on Wednesday night about the challenging experience she faced amid allegations of a toxic work environment on her talk show. She opened up about how the last few years have taken a toll on her ego and self-esteem, acknowledging the difficult time she has been through.
Appearing on stage in Los Angeles for the first show of her “Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour,” the 66-year-old comic shared that she used to say she didn’t care what others thought of her, especially at the height of her popularity. However, she now realizes the impact of those words.
DeGeneres addressed the fallout from a 2020 BuzzFeed News report that led to the cancelation of her show in 2022. She mentioned the negative experiences her employees had with executive producers and the allegations of sexual misconduct and racism. Despite making an on-air apology and firing senior producers, the show still came to an end in 2021.
Reflecting on how she became the “most hated person in America,” DeGeneres revealed that the hate took a toll on her. She spoke about the challenge of dealing with extreme reactions in the entertainment industry, where people either love or hate you, with the haters often being the loudest voices. The comedian also discussed how the ordeal had impacted her wife, Portia de Rossi, and how they both had been laying low for a while.
Despite making jokes about her experiences, DeGeneres emphasized the devastating effect it had on her mental health and well-being. The comedian opened up about how difficult it has been to move forward from such a traumatic experience but vowed to continue making people laugh through her tour and future endeavors.
In conclusion, Ellen DeGeneres’s speech was honest and heartfelt as she reflected on how challenging it has been for her over these past few years amid allegations of a toxic work environment on her talk show. Her journey towards healing and recovery will no doubt inspire many who have gone through similar experiences.