Ellen’s Comeback Problem
Ellen DeGeneres might have thought she left the scandal of 2020 behind when her talk show wrapped after 19 seasons, but Hollywood gossip doesn’t retire so easily. Now, a former cameraman is reigniting the conversation, claiming that the “queen of nice” was anything but — at least when it came to her male staffers, celebrity guests who crossed her, and anyone brave enough to make eye contact with her wife, Portia de Rossi.
The claims, shared with the Daily Mail, paint a picture that reads more like a backstage psychological thriller than a daytime comedy hour.
“She Really Didn’t Like Guys”
According to the ex-cameraman, Ellen showed a particular disdain for men on her team, allegedly going through nine stage managers in a single season. The revolving door, he says, became a running joke among staffers.
“We had a feeling she really didn’t like guys,” he recalled. For male employees, working under DeGeneres was less about job performance and more about surviving her moods.
The “Ellen Gaze”
Of all the details, none is more cinematic — or chilling — than what staffers dubbed the “Ellen gaze.”
“She would give you this look,” the cameraman explained, describing a withering stare where her eyes narrowed and her cheekbones sharpened, creating an expression that could silence an entire soundstage. He called it “terrifying.”
It wasn’t just directed at staff. The ex-employee claims colleagues were so wary of even appearing too friendly with de Rossi during tapings that they’d angle their seats away from her. “Portia was polite,” he said, “but if Ellen saw you chatting with her, you risked the glare.”
Gordon Ramsay, Spoiled Meat, and the Blacklist
If staffers weren’t already nervous enough, celebrity guests apparently weren’t immune either. The cameraman claims DeGeneres had little tolerance for being challenged on her own show — even by A-listers.
The most eyebrow-raising story involves celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who reportedly called her out for using spoiled meat in a cooking segment. DeGeneres allegedly ordered producers: “Don’t let this guy on the show again.”
Cross Ellen, the staffer suggested, and you could find yourself off the guest list permanently.
Loyalty to the Show, But Not the Staff
The most serious claim, however, involves a senior producer whose child needed a bone marrow transplant. According to the cameraman, the surgery was rescheduled so it wouldn’t interfere with the show’s holiday tapings.
“It was all loyalty to the show, but no loyalty to staff,” he said. While it’s unclear whether DeGeneres personally knew about this request, the allegation has already reignited debates about the workplace culture under her reign.
Echoes of 2020
If these accusations sound familiar, that’s because they are. Back in 2020, DeGeneres’ daytime empire was rocked by allegations of a toxic work environment, where employees claimed they were punished for taking medical leave, faced intimidation, and endured a “climate of fear.”
DeGeneres addressed the controversy on-air at the time:
“I learned that things happened here that never should’ve happened. I take that very seriously, and I want to say I’m so sorry to the people who were affected.”
The apology wasn’t enough to save the brand. The show limped to its 2022 finale after ratings and reputation took a hit.
The Public vs. Private Ellen
In public, Ellen always clung to her signature mantra — “be kind.” But offstage, employees painted a different picture: one of a star obsessed with control, image, and loyalty to her brand above all else.
When asked about the backlash in 2023, DeGeneres suggested it was a coordinated attack:
“People will say all kinds of things and you have no control over that. But you know the truth and that’s all that matters.”
It’s a classic celebrity defense — insisting that the public narrative doesn’t match the private reality. But when staffers keep coming forward with eerily consistent stories, the gap becomes harder to ignore.
Portia’s Steadfast Support
Throughout the drama, Portia de Rossi has been Ellen’s most loyal defender. Calling her wife “strong,” de Rossi stood firmly by her side through the storm.
The irony, of course, is that staffers claim simply being polite to Portia could draw Ellen’s wrath. Still, the couple has leaned into their united front, retreating from the Hollywood spotlight into quieter lives abroad.
Life After Daytime
Today, Ellen lives in England, far from the Warner Bros. soundstages that defined her career. Gone are the celebrity pranks and dance breaks — in their place, a quieter domestic life, punctuated by occasional public comments where she insists she’s been misunderstood.
But Hollywood has a long memory, and as new stories trickle out, the brand of America’s one-time favorite host faces constant re-litigation.
The Takeaway
Ellen DeGeneres built an empire on kindness, but the latest round of allegations suggests that kindness may have had sharp edges backstage. With old claims resurfacing and fresh ones piling on, DeGeneres finds herself in a familiar position: defending her legacy in the court of public opinion.
Whether she ever returns to American screens is anyone’s guess, but one thing is clear — Ellen’s cultural story isn’t finished. In Hollywood, reputation is never static, and there’s always room for a sequel.
Sources
-
Ellen DeGeneres ‘Had Nine Stage Managers Quit in One Season’ — Daily Mail
-
Ellen DeGeneres Faces Allegations of Toxic Workplace — Variety
-
Ellen DeGeneres Apologizes for Toxic Workplace Allegations — The New York Times
-
Ellen DeGeneres’ Show to End After 19 Seasons — The Hollywood Reporter
-
Ellen DeGeneres Addresses Scandal, Says “You Know the Truth” — People