Ellen DeGeneres Says Goodbye (Again): 'I Am Many Things, But I Am Not Mean'
Ellen DeGeneres was once the darling of daytime TV, until she wasn't. Now, the legendary standup comedian and former talk show host is addressing the controversy that tarnished her reputation during her latest comedy tour, cleverly titled Ellen's Last Stand...Up.
On Monday night in Santa Rosa, California, DeGeneres faced a lively and supportive audience. She dove straight into the drama that nearly ended her career, referring to the label that "got [her] kicked out of show business."
"I used to say, ‘I don’t care what people say about me,'" DeGeneres confessed. "Now I realize I said that during the height of my popularity." Four years after the allegations surfaced and two years since her show ended, DeGeneres is still working to repair her image.
In classic Ellen style, she set the tone with humor. "Let me catch you up on what’s been going on with me since you last saw me," she began, pausing dramatically before quipping, "I got chickens." She then added, "Oh yeah, and I got kicked out of show business for being mean." She noted that strong, demanding behavior is often viewed differently in women than in men, and admitted, "I can be demanding and impatient and tough. I am a strong woman."
DeGeneres was adamant: "I am many things, but I am not mean." She explained that her intention was never to hurt anyone. Allegations against her included making inappropriate comments about race, intimidating staff, and firing people for taking medical leave or, in one case, for simply looking at her.
While she admitted to being harsh and immature at times, DeGeneres didn't directly address all the allegations that arose from a 2020 BuzzFeed story and a viral Twitter thread.
"Next time, I’ll be kicked out for being old. Old, gay, and mean, the triple crown," she joked, referencing her previous ousting after coming out as gay on her sitcom in 1997.
In a post-show Q&A, DeGeneres confirmed that this tour and the upcoming Netflix special will be her last public appearances. "This is the last time you’re going to see me," she told a hopeful fan. "After my Netflix special, I’m done."
Scheduled stops in Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago have been canceled, with Ticketmaster promising refunds. The reason for the cancellations remains unclear, but Ellen's departure from the spotlight seems more definite than ever.