Ellen DeGeneres Announces She’s Leaving Hollywood for Good
Ellen DeGeneres, aged 66, has declared that she is stepping away from Hollywood and will not be returning. Known for her Emmy-winning role as a TV host, DeGeneres began her career performing stand-up comedy in various venues.
She gained widespread fame with The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which debuted in 2003 and blended humor, celebrity interviews, musical performances, and human interest segments. The show was incredibly successful, running for 19 seasons and attracting millions of viewers per episode.
However, in 2020, the situation changed dramatically. DeGeneres, who was renowned for her catchphrase “Be kind to one another” on her show, faced criticism as former employees and celebrities shared their experiences behind the scenes. These allegations did not directly accuse DeGeneres of toxic behavior but questioned the authenticity of the kindness she promoted.
In response to the accusations, Variety reported that three senior producers from the show were dismissed by Warner Bros. DeGeneres addressed the situation on-air, acknowledging the issues and expressing regret, as reported by The Guardian: “I learned that things happened here that should never have happened. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realize that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
In a 2021 interview with Savannah Guthrie on Today, DeGeneres described the media coverage of the situation as “orchestrated” and “misogynistic,” insisting that the show was always meant to be a happy place for guests and audiences.
After nearly two decades, DeGeneres concluded her talk show in 2022, citing a desire for new challenges. While she has largely remained out of the public eye since then, she recently made a return with Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour and announced a forthcoming Netflix comedy special. She has indicated that her special will address the controversies surrounding her, stating, “To answer the questions everyone is asking me – Yes, I’m going to talk about it.”
During her tour, DeGeneres humorously reflected on her experiences, saying, “Honestly, I’m making jokes about what happened to me but it was devastating, really. I just hated the way the show ended. I love that show so much and I just hated that the last time people would see me is that way.”
When asked in a Q&A session about future projects in film or theater, DeGeneres confirmed, “Um, no. This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
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