Ellen DeGeneres opened up about the challenges she faced in recent years amid allegations of a toxic work environment on her talk show during the first show of her “Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour” in Los Angeles. She acknowledged that the experience had taken a toll on her ego and self-esteem, reflecting on how she went from being a popular figure to the “most hated person in America.”
DeGeneres addressed the fallout from a 2020 BuzzFeed News report that detailed negative experiences employees had with executive producers on her show, resulting in her issuing an on-air apology and the show’s eventual cancellation in 2022. She spoke candidly about feeling like a one-dimensional character and the impact the hate and criticism had on her and her wife, Portia de Rossi.
Despite making jokes about the situation, DeGeneres revealed that it was truly devastating and that she and de Rossi had been laying low for a while. She expressed how difficult it was to deal with the extremes of adoration and hatred in the entertainment industry, noting that the negative voices often seem louder.
Through her stand-up show, DeGeneres highlighted the personal struggles she faced during this turbulent period and the toll it took on her mental and emotional well-being. Despite the challenges, she remained resilient and willing to openly address the difficulties she had faced, showing vulnerability and strength in the face of adversity.