Former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has recently shared her experience of being 'kicked out' of show business following allegations of a toxic workplace.
Speaking during her comedy tour, Ellen addressed the controversy surrounding the end of her iconic show and reflected on her public image.
Ellen DeGeneres speaks out about being 'kicked out' of show business for toxic workplace allegations
The popular talk show, which ran for 19 years and featured numerous high-profile guests, came to an abrupt end in May 2022 amidst claims of racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation behind the scenes.
Even though three executive producers connected to the allegations were fired and Ellen denied any awareness of the misconduct, The Ellen Show's reputation was severely harmed.
Since then, Ellen has kept a low public profile, occasionally participating in projects like the documentary "Saving the Gorillas: Ellen’s Next Adventure" for the Discovery Channel.
However, Ellen has recently started a new comedy tour named "Ellen's Last Stand... Up Tour," which began in Los Angeles.
In her first performance, she directly confronted the controversy surrounding the conclusion of The Ellen Show.
She openly confessed, "Yeah, I got kicked out of show business. There aren't any mean people in show business."
With humor, she reflected on her public image, recognizing that she had become a one-dimensional figure known for giving gifts and dancing.
She playfully suggested that if she had concluded her show by saying, "Go f**k yourself," it would have pleasantly surprised people.
Additionally, Ellen playfully joked about her limited business education, likening it to attending "Charlie's Chuckle Hutt" instead of a proper business school.
She questioned whether the show is named after her automatically entitled her to be in charge.
Moreover, she acknowledged that this marked the second instance of being "kicked out" of show business, alluding to the cancellation of her 1990s sitcom following her public announcement about her sexual orientation.
Ellen opened up about her personal challenges, revealing the effects on her ego and self-esteem.
She clarified the contrasting extremes within the entertainment industry, where individuals either idolize or despise you, with the latter group often being more vocal.
Ellen disclosed her recent diagnosis of osteoporosis and arthritis, underscoring the difficulties of dancing while dealing with emotional distress.
