Ellen DeGeneres Faces New Criticism Over Workplace Allegations

Ellen DeGeneres has come under fire this week as fresh accusations of her toxic behavior during her long-running talk show have surfaced.

A former photographer from “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” alleged that the environment under DeGeneres was hostile, with staff members feeling afraid and sometimes forced to prioritize work over family commitments. Many employees also noted that DeGeneres, now 67, had a particular disdain for male staff and exhibited a chilly demeanor even toward her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, who is 52.

One individual from the crew described a scene as “the queen looking for her next execution,” adding, “she was horrible.” While de Rossi allegedly treated the team well, the employee mentioned that it was risky for workers to be seen mingling with her.

“You prayed she wasn’t talking to her wife, just to avoid her ire,” the former employee shared.

Another staff member claimed that DeGeneres seemed to have an aversion to male employees, stating that during one season, she had fired nine stage managers, which left many feeling she might not have liked them.

Insiders also recounted challenges faced by celebrity guests on the show; for instance, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was said to have been banned from returning after a tense segment where he criticized the food offered to him. According to the account, DeGeneres did not take kindly to his feedback.

One senior crew member even reported being asked to postpone a child’s bone marrow transplant to prevent any disruptions in the show’s production schedule. It remains unclear whether DeGeneres was aware of this situation.

Additionally, a former writer for the show labeled DeGeneres as a “control freak,” commenting on the tearful atmosphere that often permeated the hallways.

These latest allegations bring back the scrutiny that began in 2020 when a number of former employees reported experiences of racism, threats, and retaliatory behavior in the workspace. DeGeneres had apologized on-air, claiming ignorance of the issues at hand.

The situation led to an internal investigation, during which multiple allegations against producers of fostering a culture of fear were investigated. Warner Bros. subsequently stated they were taking the allegations seriously and interviewed staff to understand the conditions better.

After 19 seasons, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” concluded in 2022. In a 2024 comedy special, DeGeneres reflected on criticisms, acknowledging that she felt pushed out of the industry due to her perceived meanness. By now, she’s expressed that she has moved to rural England, citing backlash stemming from Donald Trump’s reelection as a significant factor in her decision.