Ellen DeGeneres Reflects on Adversity in Entertainment Industry During Comedy Tour Following Talk Show Controversy

62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards – Backstage, Ellen DeGeneres

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Ellen DeGeneres is still processing the end of her talk show, which was surrounded by scandal due to accusations of a toxic work environment. However, she hasn't lost her sense of humor.

At the start of her Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour on April 24 in West Hollywood, the 66-year-old comedian wasn't hesitant to make jokes about her own career struggles.

During the show, she addressed the sold-out crowd and asked, "What else can I tell you?" as reported by Rolling Stone. She then humorously announced, "Oh yeah, I got kicked out of show business."

In a self-deprecating manner, DeGeneres joked, "There’s no mean people in show business."

The comedian joked about her famous catchphrase on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, "Be kind to one another," and how it couldn't protect her from the controversies of 2020.

She mentioned, "The image of the 'be kind' girl didn't reflect who I truly am. I was reduced to just giving things away and dancing on stage. Climbing steps while dancing is no easy task. Would a mean person do that? If I had ended my show with a different message like 'Go f–k yourself,' it might have surprised people."

In 2020, Ellen DeGeneres faced controversy for allegedly creating a negative work environment during her long-running show. WarnerMedia looked into these claims and DeGeneres apologized to her team in a letter.

Despite filming through 2020, DeGeneres revealed in 2021 that season 19 would be her final one. The last episode aired in May 2022.

Ellen DeGeneres is still dealing with the fallout from the controversial conclusion of her show and the negative impact it had on her reputation. She recently admitted that she realized she wasn't a great boss, despite being the face of the show. She mentioned that she didn't have formal business training but instead came from a comedy background, attending Charlie's Chuckle Hutt. The show was named after her, everyone wore 'Ellen' T-shirts, and there were buildings labeled 'Ellen' on the Warner Brothers lot, but she questioned if that automatically made her the leader.

DeGeneres humorously mentioned that the recent talk show controversy wasn't the first instance of Hollywood trying to push her out. Back in the 1990s, she caused a stir by publicly coming out as gay on her sitcom, Ellen. Unfortunately, this revelation didn't sit well with the network.

She jokingly remarked, "For those keeping track, this marks my second departure from show business." With a hint of sarcasm, she quipped, "I'm sure they'll kick me out for a third time eventually because of my age, attitude, and sexual orientation."

According to Rolling Stone, Ellen DeGeneres had the audience laughing throughout her performance. However, a big part of her routine focused on the sadness of saying goodbye to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Ellen expressed, "I gave away gifts, danced, then I was unkind and they didn't like me anymore. It has really affected my confidence and how I see myself. In this industry, there are extreme reactions - people either adore you or despise you, and the haters always seem to be louder."

During the encore, DeGeneres answered questions from the audience and shared more about her journey back into the spotlight after the talk show controversy.

She admitted, "To be honest, what I went through was really tough. I tried to make light of it with jokes, but it was truly devastating. I deeply care for the show and it pained me to see it end that way. I wanted my last appearance to be a positive one."

Ellen’s Last Stand … Up Tour continues throughout July along the West Coast, including dates in Washington, Oregon and California.

Editor's P/S:

Ellen DeGeneres's recent comedy tour has provided a glimpse into her reflections on the tumultuous end of her talk show. Despite facing accusations of a toxic work environment and a subsequent apology, DeGeneres maintains her signature wit, poking fun at her own career struggles. Her self-deprecating humor and willingness to address the controversy show her resilience and ability to laugh at herself even in the face of adversity.

DeGeneres's tour also reveals the emotional toll the show's conclusion has taken on her. She expresses sadness at saying goodbye to a project that had become such a significant part of her life. The extreme reactions she has faced in the industry, both adoration and contempt, have impacted her self-perception. However, she remains hopeful, using humor as a coping mechanism and continuing to connect with her audience through live performances.