Ellen DeGeneres, the beloved 66-year-old talkshow host, found herself facing a challenging situation in 2020. Rumors of a toxic work environment behind the scenes of her talk show, which had been running since 2003, threatened to tarnish her career. Allegations of sexual misconduct, racism, and intimidation surfaced, painting a negative image of the show.
In the season 18 premiere of her talk show, DeGeneres took a brave step forward and addressed the rumors head-on. She offered a heartfelt apology, acknowledging her responsibility as a person in a privileged and powerful position. She stated, “I take responsibility for what happens at my show” and expressed remorse for the things that should never have occurred.
Despite the adversity, DeGeneres made her return to the comedy spotlight on April 25 with a new comedy show that will soon appear on Netflix. In her comeback, she candidly discussed becoming the “most hated person in America” and feeling like she had been kicked out of show business. However, she also emphasized that not everyone in show business is mean.
Reflecting on the time when she was labeled as the “be kind” girl, DeGeneres shared, “The hate went on for a long time and I would try to avoid looking at the news… Had I ended my show by saying ‘Go f**k yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised.” She used humor to address the situation, mentioning that this was the second time she had felt ostracized from show business, anticipating a potential third time due to being perceived as mean, old, and gay.
DeGeneres revealed the devastating impact the scandal had on her, confessing that it took a long time for her to find the motivation to engage in anything again. She expressed her dislike for the way the show ended, as she had cherished it deeply. The thought of people viewing her negatively as the last image of her on the show was something she despised. Despite the challenges, she concluded by expressing her belief that the world needs more laughter and less drama.
Ellen DeGeneres has showcased resilience and a determination to overcome adversity through her openness and humor. Despite the difficult times she faced, she continues to bring joy to audiences and inspire others to focus on laughter and kindness.
