Celebrities Who Support Ellen DeGeneres
Daytime host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres has ruled the airwaves with her top-rated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show for almost two decades. The jokes, the dancing, the games, the A-list guests, and DeGeneres' "be kind to everybody" motto have made the comedian television's sweetheart. Yet, after BuzzFeed posted an article in July 2020 sharing the "toxic work culture" behind the scenes of the show, DeGeneres' reputation went under major scrutiny. Variety also reported on the treatment of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020.
WarnerMedia is now stepping in to conduct an internal investigation of the show, amid even more outcry by employees and guests of the environment DeGeneres was leading. The host addressed her employees about the investigation, according to Variety. She wrote, "On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness — no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case."
Rumors then swirled that DeGeneres "wants out" of the show entirely, according to Us Weekly. Despite all the drama, DeGeneres' A-list friends are speaking out in support of the comedian and assuring fans the host is the kind woman she's made out to be.
Katy Perry sent Ellen DeGeneres love and a hug
It's no question the highlight of The Ellen DeGeneres Show has been the A-list celebrities' continuous appearances. From watching former first lady Michelle Obama dance it out, to meeting viral sensations Sophia Grace and Rosie, to celebrity pregnancy announcements, Ellen DeGeneres' tight relationship with Hollywood has proved to her benefit. As the drama behind her daytime talk show unfolds, celebrities are speaking up for DeGeneres.
On Twitter, pop singer Katy Perry wrote in two tweets, "I know I can't speak for anyone else's experience besides my own but I want to acknowledge that I have only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen & on the @theellenshow. I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought to the world through her platform for decades. Sending you love & a hug, friend @TheEllenShow."
More celebrities then followed suit with their own posts.
Kevin Hart and Diane Keaton took to Instagram in support
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart took to Instagram in support of Ellen DeGeneres in light of the workplace allegations. Hart cited "the crazy world of negativity" and the world's love of "people's down fall" as reasoning to send love to DeGeneres.
In the Instagram post, Hart wrote, "It's crazy to see my friend go thru what she's going thru publicly. I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she's one of the dopest people on the f**king planet. She has treated my family and my team with love and respect from day 1." Hart added that he stands by "the ones that I know and that I love" and that "this hate s**t has to stop." He concluded, "Love you for life Ellen."
Actress Diane Keaton also took to Instagram to share, "I ALWAYS ENJOYED MY VISITS TO THE ELLEN SHOW. I'VE SEEN HOW THE AUDIENCE EXUDES HAPPINESS AND GRATITUDE. SHE GIVES BACK TO SO MANY INCLUDING ME."
Ellen DeGeneres' wife Portia De Rossi spoke out
The list of celebrities using their social platforms to support Ellen DeGeneres while WarnerMedia conducts its' investigation into alleged workplace harassment at The Ellen DeGeneres Show only continues to grow. Scooter Braun was among the first big names to stand up for DeGeneres with an Instagram post, which read in part that "people love to take shots. They love to see people fall. How quickly so many forget. How easy it is to stay quiet when it doesn't effect them. @TheEllenShow is a kind, thoughtful, courageous human being who stands for what is right and highlights on her show the best of us."
Ashton Kutcher tweeted his support, stating, "[Ellen] & her team have only treated me & my team w/ respect & kindness. She never pandered to celebrity which I always saw as a refreshing honesty. When things aren't right she handles it and fixes" Polo star Nacho Figueras wrote a lengthy Instagram post in support of DeGeneres, even tagging other stars like Jennifer Aniston, Oprah, Pink, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, and Lady Gaga asking them to publicly show their love for the talk show host as well. And of course, DeGeneres' wife, actress and model Portia De Rossi, spoke out with a simple "I Stand By Ellen" Instagram post.
Jerry O'Connell won't let social media comments change his friendships
Jerry Maguire actor Jerry O'Connell followed Portia De Rossi's lead in supporting Ellen DeGeneres while the drama unfolds with The Ellen DeGeneres Show by reposting the same "I Stand By Ellen" Instagram post. The post was accompanied by a simple message: "Love Ellen and Portia. Always have. Always will."
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the actor said, "I've known Ellen and Portia for almost three decades now and I saw that Portia... Instagrammed out, 'All of our friends, we need your support right now.' And I felt compelled to [repost] it." He continued, "I'm not gonna let Instagram comments and Twitter comments tell me who can and can't be my friends."
O'Connell made a point in the interview to back his friend Ellen DeGeneres and still support the employees looking for change in the "toxic work-culture" described by production staff of the talk show. "Of course I believe all victims, I believe all stories, and obviously something has to change in that work environment," O'Connell told ET. "But I do love Portia and Ellen. I do. And it's gonna take a lot to change my love for them."
In a tweet, former late-night host Jay Leno also stood up for his decades-long friend, citing his "40-year friendship" as reason to "fully support" DeGeneres, despite what he called "hearsay." Clearly, DeGeneres' Hollywood backing is hoping not to see the "be kind" host and her talk show go.