Ellen DeGeneres says she’s quitting Hollywood and that we ‘won’t see her again.’
DeGeneres, 66, is an Emmy award-winning TV host who started her career in stand-up comedy bars.
On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which first aired in 2003, she combined comedy, celebrities, musical guests, and human interest stories.
The daytime show was a huge success for the star, with 19 seasons and millions of viewers each episode.
Yet in 2020, everything would change.
But behind the scenes, rumors circulated that the comedian was not as nice as she was portrayed on the daytime show.
Former employees began speaking up about what it was like working on the program and even celebrities chimed in, some agreeing with former staffers and others defending DeGeneres.
Finally, in 2020, two BuzzFeed exposés delved into allegations of toxic work culture, discrimination, and s**ual misconduct and harassment.
The reports did not allege toxic behavior by DeGeneres herself, however, every part of the show operates under the comedian’s name and specific brand of kindness.
In the wake of the allegations, Variety reported that three senior producers had been ousted from Warner Bros. distributed syndicated strip.
DeGeneres apologized on-air to viewers, stating (via The Guardian): “I learned that things happened here that should never have happened.
“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 at my show.”
In an interview with Today in 2021, DeGeneres told host Savannah Guthrie that the press felt ‘orchestrated’ and ‘misogynistic.’
She added: “All I’ve ever heard from every guest that comes on the show is what a happy atmosphere this is and what a happy place this is.”
In 2022, DeGeneres ended her talk show after nearly 20 years.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DeGeneres said she needed to be ‘challenged’ with something new.
The comedian has stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, however, she recently made a comeback.
She’s currently on Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour and is set to release a comedy special on Netflix.
DeGeneres revealed that her controversies will be discussed in the special, stating (per Tudum): “To answer the questions everyone is asking me – Yes, I’m going to talk about it.”
On tour, DeGeneres joked (via Rolling Stone): “Honestly, I’m making jokes about what happened to me but it was devastating, really.
“I just hated the way the show ended. I love that show so much and I just hated that the last time people would see me is that way.”
In a Q&A after one of her stand-up shows, DeGeneres was asked if she would be in any new films or do theatre work, to which she responded: “Um, no. This is the last time you’re going to see me.
“After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
