Ellen DeGeneres has finally addressed the controversial end of her long-running daytime talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, during the opening night of her new comedy tour, Ellen’s Last Stand … Up Tour, at the Largo in Los Angeles.
The former daytime host joked about getting “kicked out of show business” for being “mean,” referencing the allegations of a toxic workplace that led to the show’s downfall. The Buzzfeed News investigation in July 2020 revealed allegations of racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation by executive producers at the show, prompting the firing of three top producers and an on-air apology from DeGeneres.
During her performance, DeGeneres reflected on the impact of the scandal on her reputation, lamenting how she had become a “one-dimensional character” known for giving away gifts and dancing, rather than the “be kind” persona she had promoted on her show.
Despite the difficult period following the end of her show, DeGeneres expressed that she had come to terms with what happened and was now “dancing again.” She also addressed the question of seeking revenge against those who wronged her, stating that she did not hold onto grudges and that seeking revenge was not in her nature.
Since the end of her show, DeGeneres has mostly stayed out of the public eye, with her comedy tour marking her return to the spotlight. The tour will travel to various cities before culminating in a new special for Netflix, showcasing DeGeneres’ resilience and humor in the face of adversity.