All the celebrities who have spoken out about their experiences with Ellen DeGeneres amid her controversy

3:59 PM
celebrities ellen backlash
Celebrities have spoken up about their experiences with Ellen DeGeneres.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Rachel Murray / Getty Images

  • "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" ended in May 2022, two years after toxic workplace allegations surfaced.
  • Celebrities have spoken out over the years about their relationship with DeGeneres.
  • DeGeneres reckoned with the end of her talk show in her 2024 Netflix special, "For Your Approval."

She was supposed to go out with a bang, but Ellen DeGeneres' much-loved talk show instead went out with a whimper. 

In 2020, current and former staffers began airing claims that the talk show host had mistreated employees and fostered a toxic work environment on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Then, celebrities started sharing their own stories about the comedian.

Some stars, such as Brad Garrett and Lea Thompson, expressed negative sentiments toward DeGeneres, claiming her "nice" persona was a facade, while others, including Scooter Braun and Katy Perry, defended the star. 

Almost two years after her show ended in 2022, DeGeneres spoke about the ending of her talk show and the allegations of its toxic environment on the first stop of her "Ellen's Last Stand...Up Tour," Rolling Stone reported. 

"Honestly, I'm making jokes about what happened to me but it was devastating, really," she said at the show, per the publication. "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."

DeGeneres also grapples with the backlash and the end of her talk show in her 2024 hour-long Netflix special "For Your Approval," which is now streaming.

"I was in therapy for a while trying to deal with all the hatred that was coming at me, and it was not a common situation for a therapist to deal with," DeGeneres said in the special.

"At one point, my therapist said, 'Ellen, where do you get this idea that everyone hates you?'" she continued. "And I said, 'Well, um, New York Times, Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly. I think Elmo may have said something recently on an episode of 'Sesame Street.''"

Even years after the 2020 controversy and ending of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski have continued to question some of her behavior. 

Here's what celebrities are saying about DeGeneres.

Brad Garrett said DeGeneres' mistreatment of others was 'common knowledge'

The "Everybody Loves Raymond" actor Garrett called out the comedian via Twitter on July 31, 2020.

Garrett, who has appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" multiple times, reshared Variety's article about the comedian's letter apologizing to staffers who felt disrespected.

In the letter, DeGeneres said she hadn't been able to closely manage the show as it grew in recent years.

"Sorry but it comes from the top ⁦@TheEllenShow," Garrett wrote.

The actor continued to say he knew "more than one" person who was "treated horribly" by DeGeneres, adding that her behavior was "common knowledge."

Lea Thompson echoed Garrett's claims

"Back to the Future" star Thompson seconded Garrett's message that DeGeneres' mistreatment of others was "common knowledge."

On July 31, 2020, Thompson replied to People's report about his comment and wrote: "True story. It is."

The actor didn't provide further details on her personal experience with the talk-show host, however.

Music manager Scooter Braun called DeGeneres a 'kind, thoughtful, courageous human being'

Braun, who manages artists like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, defended the comedian in a series of tweets on July 31, 2020.

"People love to take shots at people," he wrote. "They love to see people fall. How quickly so many forget."

Braun continued to describe DeGeneres as a "kind, thoughtful, courageous human being who stands for what is right and highlights on her show the best of us," adding that she'd used her platform to "change the views for equality."

"Needed to say this as I know first hand how she helps so many when we are watching and when we are not," he wrote. "She isn't about what is popular she is about what is right. Sending love to Ellen today."

Portia de Rossi, DeGeneres' wife, shared a message in support of the comedian

The model Portia de Rossi spoke out in support of DeGeneres in an Instagram post on August 3, 2020.

De Rossi, who married the comedian in 2008, shared a picture that said "I Stand By Ellen" on it along with the show's mantra, "Be Kind To One Another," in the corner.

She captioned the post: "To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support."

The celebrities Kris Jenner, Nacho Figueras, and Brandi Carlile were among those who liked and commented on de Rossi's post.

Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras said DeGeneres 'makes the world a better place'

In an Instagram post he shared August 2, 2020, Figueras opened up about his friendship with DeGeneres and called on others with platforms to defend the talk-show host.

After saying he'd waited for "someone with more authority" to speak up about DeGeneres' character, Figueras reflected on his own appearances on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and called it a "very well run machine."

"Everyone was super nice, not just to me but to each other and anyone involved," he wrote.

Figueras went on to say he'd seen DeGeneres treat people kindly both on and off of her show.

I have been patiently waiting for someone with more authority than me to speak up about what a great human being @theellenshow is. I have been very lucky to be on that show many times and I can tell you that it is a very well run machine, everyone was super nice, not just to me but to each other and anyone involved. I have seen Ellen act not just in her show but in public appearances in theaters where she is nice to absolutely everyone, the guy serving the coffee, the person in the elevator, the security guy and the owner of the venue. Everyone loves her because that is who she is. She makes the world a better place for millions of people everyday and we cannot hit her because something may have not been perfect. No one is perfect, and we cannot control everything. So I stand for you my friend and I challenge all the amazing people that know you and call you a friend to say who you are. The world has become a very dangerous place because it seems that we cannot make anything right. If I am going to be criticized for defending someone that I think deserves to be defended then so be it. We are all so scared to say what we really think and it seems that we are only relevant if we say whatever the trending social media topic is. So... We love Ellen right? @jenniferaniston @jlo @michelleobama @pink @seanhayes @ladygaga @oprah @katyperry @justintimberlake and whoever else should be on this list which is really long.

A post shared by Ignacio Figueras (@nachofigueras) on Aug 2, 2020 at 8:26pm PDT

"I have seen Ellen act not just in her show but in public appearances in theaters where she is nice to absolutely everyone, the guy serving the coffee, the person in the elevator, the security guy and the owner of the venue," Figueras said.

He added: "Everyone loves her because that is who she is. She makes the world a better place for millions of people everyday."

The athlete then challenged some of DeGeneres' friends — like Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, Pink, Sean Hayes, Lady Gaga, Oprah, Katy Perry, and Justin Timberlake — to share their experiences with the comedian.

"The world has become a very dangerous place because it seems that we cannot make anything right," he wrote. "If I am going to be criticized for defending someone that I think deserves to be defended then so be it."

Katy Perry drew attention to the talk-show host's 'light & continual fight for equality'

Perry shared a positive message about DeGeneres in a series of tweets on August 4, 2020.

Prefacing her message by saying she's speaking from her own firsthand experience with the comedian, the pop star said she wanted to acknowledge she's "only ever had positive takeaways" from both DeGeneres and her show.

"I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought to the world through her platform for decades," she wrote. "Sending you love & a hug, friend."

Perry spoke about her decision to publicly support DeGeneres during an interview with The Los Angeles Times later that month. 

"I started that tweet off not undermining anyone else's experience," Perry said. "I wanted to only speak from my own experience. I have over 100 million people that follow me on Twitter, so not everyone is going to agree with me. And I'm not here to make everyone agree with me."

Samantha Ronson said DeGeneres had consistently been 'respectful and kind' to her

The British DJ Samantha Ronson spoke about her interactions with the talk-show host.

"Unpopular opinion: I've worked for @TheEllenShow as a dj, for her parties, for years and she has ALWAYS been respectful and kind to me," she wrote in a tweet August 3, 2020.

When a Twitter user pointed out that she was a "celebrity guest" on the show rather than a staffer, Ronson responded: "I wasn't a celebrity guest. I was an employee. Very different. Trust me."

Someone else wrote that DeGeneres was kind only to people with a "certain stature," like Ronson, and the DJ said she "knew this was coming."

"You'd be surprised by how many people are super rude when you become someone they are writing a cheque to," she wrote. "It's super disappointing."

Diane Keaton said DeGeneres 'gives back to so many'

The "Something's Gotta Give" actress Diane Keaton posted an Instagram photo on August 4, 2020 of herself and the talk-show host filming an episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

"I ALWAYS ENJOYED MY VISITS TO THE ELLEN SHOW," she captioned the picture. "I'VE SEEN HOW THE AUDIENCE EXUDES HAPPINESS AND GRATITUDE. SHE GIVES BACK TO SO MANY INCLUDING ME."

Kevin Hart said the talk-show host was 'one of the dopest people on the f---ing planet'

The comedian Kevin Hart shared a photo from one of his visits to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" via Instagram on August 4, 2020.

"It's crazy to see my friend go thru what she's going thru publicly. I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she's one of the dopest people on the f---ing planet. She has treated my family and my team with love and respect from day 1," he captioned the photo.

Hart — who stepped down from hosting the 2019 Oscars following a backlash over his past homophobic tweets — then criticized the public for "falling in love" with people's downfalls.

"It's honestly sad...When did we get here?" he added. "I stand by the ones that I know and that I love. Looking forward to the future where we get back to loving one another....this hate s--- has to stop. Hopefully it goes out of style soon."

The comedian said his message wasn't meant to "disregard the feelings of others and their experiences" but rather to "show what my experiences have been with my friend."

Ashton Kutcher claimed that DeGeneres 'never pandered to celebrity'

In a tweet the actor shared on August 4, 2020, he said that the talk show host treated everyone — both celebrities and nonfamous individuals — with the same "respect & kindness."

"I haven't spoken with @TheEllenShow and can only speak from my own experience. She & her team have only treated me & my team w/ respect & kindness. She never pandered to celebrity which I always saw as a refreshing honesty. When things aren't right she handles it and fixes," he wrote. 

People replied to Kutcher's tweet to explain that mainly staffers, not celebrities, are coming forward about a toxic work environment and sexual misconduct at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

One person tweeted that the celebrities coming forward to defend DeGeneres are "invalidating" what current and former employees "experienced on a regular basis."

"I understand," Kutcher responded. 

Another individual said that he doesn't have a full perspective on the issue since he's a famous actor. 

He replied, "But it extends to my team and people she didn't even know I work with."

Jerry O'Connell reposted the same photo as de Rossi

The "Stand By Me" actor shared a blue square that read, "I Stand With Ellen" on Instagram on August 4, 2020.

O'Connell tagged both de Rossi and DeGeneres in the post and wrote: "Love Ellen and Portia. Always have. Always will."

Love Ellen and Portia. Always have. Always will.

A post shared by Jerry O'Connell (@mrjerryoc) on Aug 3, 2020 at 10:48am PDT

 

The actor told Entertainment Tonight that his longtime friendship with the couple drove him to share his support for DeGeneres.

"I've known Ellen and Portia for almost three decades now and I saw that Portia… Instagrammed out, 'All of our friends, we need your support right now.' And I felt compelled to repost it," he told the outlet, adding, "I just wanted Ellen and Portia to know that I love them very much."

While many of the celebrities defending the comedian have faced backlash, O'Connell said that he's not letting the public affect his relationships. 

"I'm not gonna let Instagram comments and Twitter comments tell me who can and can't be my friends," he said.

O'Connell explained that he does "believe all victims" and "all stories" from former and current staffers, admitting that "something has to change in that work environment."

"But I do love Portia and Ellen. I do. And it's gonna take a lot to change my love for them," he said. 

Jay Leno said he won't 'discard a 40-year friendship on hearsay'

The former host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" offered his full support to DeGeneres on August 4, 2020.

"I don't discard a 40-year friendship on hearsay. The Ellen I know has raised over $125 million dollars for charity and has always been a kind and decent person. I fully support her," he wrote on Twitter. 

Actor Andy Richter pointed out the irony of DeGeneres' entire show's mantra to 'Be Kind'

"A Black Lady Sketch Show" actress Ashley Nicole Black tweeted a message addressing the toxic work environments that are "widely accepted" in the television industry on August 5, 2020.

"I don't think it's that celebs 'don't know' people treat them differently. I think it's that toxic workplaces are widely accepted in this industry, ppl are expected not to complain, and higher ups dont care how folks are treated as long as the work is done on time and on budget," she wrote. 

Actor Andy Richter, who often appears on TBS' "Conan," agreed with Black and highlighted the hypocrisy of DeGeneres' "Be Kind" mantra given former staffers' accusations about the host. 

"I agree," he wrote, adding, "Although there's toxicity tolerated by higher-ups in every industry, but few of those workplaces are controlled by a manager who's entire brand is being 'nice.'"

Howard Stern gave advice to the comedian on his show

On an episode of SiriusXM's "Howard Stern Show" on August 10, 2020, the radio personality said that he'd "change his whole image" if he was in DeGeneres' shoes. 

"I'd go on the air and be a son of a b----," he said, adding, "People would come on and I would go, 'F--- you.' Just be a prick."

Both Howard and his wife Beth have both appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" several times and have been longtime friends with the host. During a 2019 episode of the show, Howard and Beth even remarried each other in front of the studio audience.

Musician Phoebe Bridgers called the talk-show host 'ellen degenerate'

Amid the backlash against DeGeneres, the "Garden Song" singer used a pun to give her own two cents about the comedian.

She wrote "ellen degenerate" on Twitter, but Bridgers didn't elaborate on her own personal experience with the host.

Octavia Spencer said all her experiences on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' have been 'supportive and fun'

The actor, who's appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" numerous times over the years, issued a statement supporting DeGeneres via Instagram on August 13, 2020.

"Sending love and support to Ellen and all of the employees of her show," Spencer began.

She continued to share that her interactions with "everyone from the show including ELLEN" were "supportive and fun" and said she's "praying" for the people involved.

Spencer also said she believes "all of the voices of her employees need to be heard" and explained that she's only speaking from her own personal experience with the comedian and her show. 

"Speaking truth to power is the only way change happens. My truth is everyone was kind to me. From the PAs to the producers. So yeah! I want all of those people to feel valued and heard. And no, people are NOT always kind to talent," she wrote. 

After fans accused DeGeneres of mocking Sofia Vergara's accent on the show, the actor said she was 'always in on the joke'

The Colombian-American actor has appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" numerous times throughout the years. In the midst of the accusations against the show, her fans began circulating her interviews with DeGeneres and accused the host of mocking Vergara's accent. 

On August 21, 2020, the "Modern Family" star posted a video from her 2015 "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" appearance on Twitter and shut down claims that the host was making fun of her.

She wrote: "Two comedians having fun with each other to entertain. I was never a victim guys, I was always in on the joke."

Mariah Carey said she was 'extremely uncomfortable' during her 2008 interview on the show

When the "We Belong Together" singer appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2008, the host pushed her to announce her pregnancy. 

Carey quietly said that she prefers not to discuss that on television, so DeGeneres asked her to "toast with champagne" instead, effectively forcing her to admit whether or not she was carrying a child since pregnant women are advised against drinking alcohol. 

"I can't believe you did this to me, Ellen," Carey said. 

DeGeneres then said, "Let's toast to you not being pregnant if you're not pregnant."

The singer continued to stall by making excuses like the time of day or champagne's "fattening" effects, leading the host to yell, "You're pregnant!"

 

Carey miscarried shortly after the interview. 

The clip resurfaced online 18 years later amid the controversy surrounding DeGeneres, and Carey revealed that the moment made her "extremely uncomfortable" during an August 2020 interview with Vulture.

"I was extremely uncomfortable with that moment is all I can say. And I really have had a hard time grappling with the aftermath," she told the outlet. 

Carey continued, "I wasn't ready to tell anyone because I had had a miscarriage. I don't want to throw anyone that's already being thrown under any proverbial bus, but I didn't enjoy that moment."

The singer finished by stating that there's "an empathy that can be applied to those moments that I would have liked to have been implemented. But what am I supposed to do? It's like, 'What are you going to do?'" 

Steve Harvey called DeGeneres one of the 'coolest and kindest people' in entertainment

ellen degeneres steve harvey
Ellen DeGeneres and Steve Harvey are friends.

Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images

The comedian came to DeGeneres' defense on an episode of "PEOPLE (The TV Show!)" that aired on September 17, 2020. 

"I'm going to say this about it: Ellen DeGeneres, the person that I know, that I've known for a number of years, that I saw back in the comedy club days, when we used to split time with the same management, all of this and what's happening now, Ellen, the person, is probably one of the coolest and kindest people I've met in this business," he said. 

Though DeGeneres' show returned on September 21 after a break, Harvey previously told Entertainment Tonight that he'd "walk away" from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" if he were her.

"Ellen has got a lot of money. If I was Ellen, I'd just walk away," he said, adding, "She got enough. I wouldn't let them drag me down like that!"

The comedians have been friends for years, and Harvey has appeared on DeGeneres' show several times. They also cocreated and coproduced the show "Little Big Shots" together in 2016. 

Alec Baldwin told DeGeneres that she was 'one of the most funny and talented people' in show business

During his appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on September 23, Baldwin shared words of encouragement with the talk-show host via video chat.

"I have followed your career from when you were doing stand-up and you were a solo performer. I've watched the films you've done, and I've watched your success on this TV show, and you are one of the funniest and most talented women, one of the most funny and talented people, in all of show business," he told her. 

Baldwin added, "We all have some patches of white water here, but you keep going. Don't you stop doing what you're doing."

Ryan Phillippe mocked DeGeneres' 'Be Kind' mantra during his outdoor jog

The "Cruel Intentions" actor seemed to take a jab at the talk-show host during his jog in October 2020. 

Phillippe posed in front of a poster with DeGeneres on it and wrote, "And remember to be kind... wait," a reference to the show's "Be Kind" catchphrase. He shared the selfie to his Instagram story. 

According to Us Weekly, the actor hasn't appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" since 2011. 

NikkieTutorials said that DeGeneres was 'cold and distant' to her 

YouTuber Nikkie Tutorials, whose real name is Nikkie de Jager, was asked to appear on "Ellen" in 2020. The vlogger had come out as transgender after being threatened with blackmail, and her story went viral. 

She told the Dutch TV show De Wereld Draait Door  it was a "huge honor" but said that she had a less than great experience on the show. Degeneres, she said, had acted "cold and distant" toward her. 

When she was asked what it was like to appear on the show, she told the host: "It's really nice that you came over and said hello to me... She didn't."

DeGeneres' former DJ Tony Okunbowa said he felt the 'toxicity' of the show's environment'

Tony Okunbowa was DeGeneres' on-air DJ from 2003 to 2006 and 2007 to 2013. In August 2020, as allegations against DeGeneres and the production emerged, he posted on Instagram alleging that the show had been a toxic place, though he didn't specify what he'd experienced in his time there.

"I have been getting calls asking me about the Ellen DeGeneres Show and I would like to address the time I spent there," he wrote. "I was on air talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007 -2013. While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward."

Emily Ratajkowski came to Taylor Swift's defense after watching a resurfaced clip of the singer on the talk show

In January 2023, an old clip of Taylor Swift on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" resurfaced on TikTok, showing Swift visibly upset and on the verge of tears after DeGeneres made her play a "game" in which she was supposed to identify all the men she had dated. 

"It makes me feel so bad about myself every time I come up here you put like a different dude up there on the screen, and it just makes me really question what I stand for as a human being," Swift said. 

After viewing it, model Emily Ratajkowski commented, "This is so fucked up. She's literally begging her to stop."

"Watching that [interview], I was so struck by how clear she's being about what is making her uncomfortable," Ratajkowski told Elle in a January interview. "I think the lens that I would've viewed that interview from 10 years ago versus now has evolved so much, which is why it struck me. I was in bed falling asleep and commented on it, not because I thought it was going to make headlines at all."

Ratajkowski went on to say "that clip in particular was just so striking to me because she was communicating very clearly about why she didn't feel comfortable with what was happening. And it was making everyone laugh. It actually upset me. And I think that just even that speaks to a larger thing I've noticed, where people don't listen to femme-presenting people."

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