In July 2020, Ellen DeGeneres’ reputation took a major hit when former employees of The Ellen Show came forward with serious allegations about a toxic workplace environment. A BuzzFeed News exposé revealed stories from staff members, including one Black employee who claimed to face racial discrimination. Others shared accounts of being fired after taking medical leave, such as one person who was let go after a suicide attempt and another after requesting time off to recover from a car accident and attend family funerals.
In response to the backlash, DeGeneres addressed the accusations during a September 2020 episode of her show. “I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility. And I take responsibility for what happens on my show,” she said, adding that changes were being made to improve the work environment. Despite her apology, the damage was done, and the talk show ended in 2022. However, a couple of years later, DeGeneres found humor in the ordeal.
#1. Ellen DeGeneres Turned the Scandal Into Comedy
Known for her signature sign-off, “Be kind to one another,” Ellen DeGeneres’ message became somewhat ironic after the workplace allegations surfaced. During the opening night of her 2024 stand-up tour, Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour, DeGeneres wasted no time poking fun at the controversy surrounding her. “I got kicked out of show business. There’s no mean people in show business,” she quipped, adding, “The ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind… Had I ended my show by saying, ‘Go f*** yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised” (via Rolling Stone).
Despite her lighthearted remarks, DeGeneres acknowledged that she struggled with leadership and often saw herself more as a playful boss. The aftermath of the scandal took a toll on her self-esteem, as she saw the public’s perception of her polarize between admiration and hatred. After nearly 20 years of hosting The Ellen Show, her identity had become deeply intertwined with the show, leaving her to rebuild from the ground up after its conclusion.
#2. The Real Reason The Ellen Show Ended
In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DeGeneres shared the real reason for ending The Ellen Show. She revealed that after 19 seasons, she no longer felt creatively challenged. “When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged — and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore,” she explained. DeGeneres claimed that she had decided to end the show after the 19th season when she signed a three-season renewal following the 16th season.
Despite speculation, DeGeneres emphasized that the scandal wasn’t the reason behind the show’s conclusion. She admitted that the criticism was hard to bear, especially since she believed everyone was happy working on the show. According to her, she learned of the complaints along with the rest of the world, as none of her employees had approached her directly about their issues.
#3. Ellen DeGeneres’ Post-Show Comeback
While the allegations were a significant blow, DeGeneres didn’t let the scandal define her future. During her stand-up tour, she revealed that she had checked into a mental health facility after the show ended to cope with the emotional fallout (via Entertainment Tonight). However, DeGeneres eventually bounced back, and her return to the spotlight has been marked by new achievements and personal growth.
DeGeneres continues to forge a new path in the entertainment world, proving that she’s far from done making an impact, both on and off the stage.
