Ellen DeGeneres harbors 'ungrateful anger' after Hollywood cancels her over talk show controversy
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ellen DeGeneres is reportedly grappling with lingering resentment over her treatment in Hollywood following the scandal that led to the end of her talk show.
Despite support from key players in the industry, including Netflix and Disney/Pixar, the 66-year-old comedian is said to be considering a departure from the entertainment world due to what insiders describe as "ungrateful anger."
Ellen DeGeneres battles ‘ungrateful anger’ after talk show scandal cancellation
In 2020, allegations surfaced about Ellen's mistreatment of staff on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show,' casting a shadow over her once-sterling reputation. The backlash culminated in the end of her talk show in May 2021 after a successful 19-season run. Since then, Ellen has spent years out of the public eye, but recent reports suggest she is looking to re-enter the entertainment industry.
"Ellen’s decision to walk away from Hollywood is irrational, shortsighted, and selfish," a source close to the situation told In Touch. The insider emphasized that while it’s natural for Ellen to feel isolated after facing intense criticism, it’s a misconception that the entire industry has turned against her.
“It’s only natural that when you see a bunch of articles about what a bad person you are it can feel like the whole world is against you but that is simply not the case with Ellen.”
In 2020, reports emerged that Ellen DeGeneres had been unkind to her staff on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show.' The controversy appeared to damage her reputation, leading to the conclusion of her long-running talk show in May 2021 after 19 successful seasons.
After spending several years away from the public eye, Ellen DeGeneres appears eager to re-enter the entertainment industry. Recently, she embarked on a multi-city stand-up tour and recorded a comedy special for Netflix.
"Ellen needs to be thankful for what standing she still has. Everybody doesn’t hate her,” the source said.
Despite the controversy, Ellen still has powerful allies. Netflix executives, for instance, are reportedly eager to collaborate with her again. "The bosses at Netflix absolutely love her," the source revealed. "If they could do five specials with her or even revive her talk show, they would snap their fingers and make it happen."
Similarly, Disney/Pixar executives remain supportive of the comedian, who famously voiced the character Dory in 'Finding Nemo' and 'Finding Dory.' "They want to make more of those movies, but they really can’t because the whole draw was Ellen’s character and her signature comedic dialogue," the insider explained.
"That’s a role Ellen could play into her eighties, and entertain more generations of children in the process."
Ellen’s anger and frustration seem to be influencing her current career decisions. According to the source, this stems from the way her talk show ended, coupled with the emotional toll of losing her ex-girlfriend Anne Heche, who died in 2022. "She’s mad at the world, and ending her career as an entertainer is her way of getting revenge. It’s all very sad," the insider lamented.
Although Ellen hinted at addressing her scandal in her recent stand-up performances, insiders say she’s still struggling to find her comedic voice. During a tour stop at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on August 1, she opened up about being labeled "the most hated person in America" and how the experience of being canceled led her to temporarily lose her sense of humor.
Ellen DeGeneres turn to therapy for OCD and ADD after facing backlash over alleged mean behavior
Ellen DeGeneres recently opened up about her struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) during her stand-up show, Ellen’s Last Stand … Up, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on August 1. Following the fallout from her talk show scandal, DeGeneres, 66, revealed that she has been seeking therapy to address these issues.
DeGeneres, who was raised in the Christian Science faith—a belief system that traditionally does not recognize diseases or disorders—shared how therapy helped her come to terms with her mental health challenges.
She realized that her father exhibited symptoms of OCD, such as repeatedly checking the door or faucet, which led her to question whether she might also have the condition.
After discussing it with her wife, Portia de Rossi, DeGeneres realized that she indeed had OCD. "I went home and asked Portia, ‘Do you think that I may have OCD?’ And she said, ‘Yes, you do,’” DeGeneres recalled. She explained that she had always seen her behavior as being careful rather than obsessive, but therapy helped her understand that these tendencies were part of her OCD.
DeGeneres also addressed her ADD, noting that it was exacerbated by her experience on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show.' The show’s format, with its short, segmented conversations, made it difficult for her to engage in longer discussions without needing a break.
Reflecting on her journey, DeGeneres expressed a desire to be seen as more than just a public figure. "I’m happy to just not be a brand or a boss or a billboard, just a person, just a multifaceted person with different feelings and emotions," she shared. "I can be happy and sad and compassionate and frustrated and have OCD and ADD."
