Showbiz

These are the biggest controversies surrounding Ellen DeGeneres over the years

These are the biggest controversies surrounding Ellen DeGeneres over the years
Rex Features

Ellen DeGeneres has had a successful career in show business, but it’s winding down with a whimper.

Not only does her daytime talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, secure millions of viewers daily, she’s also become one Hollywood’s most best-known personalities.

But in a sudden but not surprising move on. Wednesday, daytime’s most recognizable celebrity announced she will be ending her talk show after nineteen seasons.

“When you’re a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged – and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore,” DeGeneres told The Hollywood Reporter.

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The news comes on the heels of a series of controversies which DeGeneres said “destroyed” her. Last July, a BuzzFeed News expose highlighted allegations of a toxic workplace at Ellen, outlining sexual misconduct and abuse. DeGeneres, who’s built her entire brand on the motto “Be Kind,” claims she was unaware of the misconduct and initiated a thorough investigation.

But while that news was shocking, the stand-up comedian is no stranger to controversy. With that being said, we decided to delve into some of Ellen’s biggest controversies throughout the years.

Palling around with George W. Bush

Ellen received backlash when spotted at a Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys game in October 2019, sitting alongside former President George W. Bush. Fans quickly criticized the comedian’s friendship with Bush, especially considering his opposition to same-sex marriage and his stance on the Iraq war. DeGeneres has spoke candidly on their friendship, saying: “I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have.”

Ellen DeGeneres\u2019 top biggest controversies

Allegations of ill-treatment towards people

In March 2020, fellow comedian Kevin T. Porter asked people on social media to share stories about DeGeneres being mean to them. Many individuals immediately responded, including YouTuber Nikkie de Jager who accused DeGeneres of being “cold and distant.” In addition, bodyguard Tom Majercak also claimed DeGeneres had been “demeaning” toward him at the 2014 Oscars.

The time she compared quarantine to jail

In April 2020, many Twitter users accused DeGeneres of being insensitive when she joked that quarantining at her home in Montecito, California during the COVID-19 pandemic was“like being in jail.” Many argued that being confined to a $27 million mansion is hardly the same as being confined to an overcrowded prison in the U.S.

Ellen DeGeneres' biggest controversies

Revealing Mariah Carey’s pregnancy

In November 2008, when Mariah Carey appeared onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, she definitely didn’t have plans to announce her pregnancy. But when DeGeneres pressured Carey into having a glass of champagne as a way to offset pregnancy rumors, that’s precisely what ended up happening.

Ellen DeGeneres' biggest controversies

Joking about the workplace scandal

After allegations broke of a toxic workplace behind the scenes at Ellen, the comedian decided to add fuel to fire by joking about it on air. When her show returned in September 2020, DeGeneres jokingly commented: “I’m excited to see all of my staff and my crew. Hi, everybody. Please don’t look me in the eye.”

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