Entertainment
Ellen DeGeneres believes toxic workplace scandal was a ‘coordinated’ attack: ‘It was too orchestrated’
Ellen DeGeneres believes the allegations of a ‘toxic workplace’ on her show might have been a ‘coordinated’ attack to try and get her ‘canceled’.
The comedian spoke candidly to Today’s Savannah Guthrie on Thursday in her first TV interview since announcing her plans to end The Ellen Show next year.
When asked if she felt like she was being canceled at the height of the scandal, Ellen replied: ‘I really didn’t understand it, I still don’t understand it … it was too orchestrated, it was too coordinated.
‘People get picked on, but for four months straight? For me to read in the press about a toxic environment when all I’ve ever heard from every guest that comes on the show is what a happy atmosphere it is and what a happy place it is…’
The 63-year-old insisted she had ‘no idea’ that there were so many problems behind the scenes and disputed claims that she should have known what was going on.
‘I don’t know how I could have known when there’s 225 employees here and there are a lot of different buildings,’ she said. ‘Unless I actually stayed here until that last person goes home at night.
‘It’s my name on the show, so clearly it affects me, and I have to be the one to stand up and say this can’t be tolerated.’
Despite the headlines made by the scandal, which triggered an internal investigation last summer, Ellen insisted her decision to end her daytime talk show after its upcoming 19th season was not driven by the claims.
Did you feel like you were being canceled? –@SavannahGuthrie
I really didn’t understand it, I still don’t understand it … it was too orchestrated, it was too coordinated.” -Ellen DeGeneres pic.twitter.com/bBTk4hLKqk
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 13, 2021
She stated: ‘If it was why I was quitting, I would have not come back this year. I really did think about not coming back, because it was devastating.
‘It started with attacks on me and attacking everything that I stand for and believe in and built my career around … I am a kind person. I am a person who likes to make people happy.’
The star also claimed that the lower ratings in the past year did not play a part in her decision to wrap the hit program.
Reacting to the ratings stats, Ellen explained: ‘It’s more for this one because we had further to fall. And everybody else was at a lower place, so they didn’t have as far to fall. To be honest. I mean, that’s the truth, we were very, very successful.
‘As you said, everything in television is down. It’s got nothing to do with why I’m leaving. If I was having fun, I would do this show with nobody watching. So it’s got nothing to do with that.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebriy story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Dakota Johnson’s chaotic Ellen DeGeneres interview goes viral again as host announces end of show
