Is Ellen DeGeneres someday admitting she did something wrong? Six former employees of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” have come forward to express their dissatisfaction with Ellen DeGeneres’ latest Netflix special. These individuals, who have chosen to remain anonymous, claim that the comedian’s new stand-up special continues to invalidate and deny their experiences of workplace misconduct.
The controversy surrounding “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” first came to light in 2020, when numerous allegations of a toxic work environment emerged. Former staff members accused the show of fostering a culture of racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation.
Ellen DeGeneres: Former Staff Members Accused That New Netflix’s Special Invalidate their Experiences
These serious allegations led to an internal investigation and the subsequent firing of three executive producers.
Ellen DeGeneres’ new Netflix special, titled “For Your Approval,” has been criticized by these former employees for misrepresenting the narrative of their experiences. They argue that DeGeneres blurs the line between unflattering rumors and the serious allegations that were brought against the show.
According to the former staffers, the special is a case study in evasion and self-deception, failing to take responsibility for the misconduct that allegedly occurred under her watch.
The six former employees have voiced their frustration, stating that the special “continues to invalidate and deny our experience.”
“There’s a difference between your persona and the way that you were handled in the media versus the culture that you perpetuated which hurt a lot of people. She was misrepresenting the narrative and trying to reframe herself as not a bully… She really missed the mark.” one source told Rolling Stones.
They believe that DeGeneres’ portrayal of the events minimizes the severity of the allegations and undermines the impact of their experiences. This sentiment is echoed in their anonymous statements to Rolling Stone, where they describe the special as “delusional” and a missed opportunity for accountability.
Ellen Response to the Accusations
Previously, DeGeneres issued a public apology during the opening monologue of her talk show’s new season in 2020.
She acknowledged the allegations, stating, “I learned that things happened here that never should’ve happened. I take that very seriously, and I want to say that I’m so sorry to the people who were affected.”
Additionally, three top producers were fired as part of the show’s efforts to address the misconduct claims.
During the special, DeGeneres says she was “kicked out of show business” twice — once for being gay, and once for being mean.
The fact that Ellen DeGeneres downplays the potentially traumatic experiences of those who worked with her and does so publicly makes it abundantly clear that she did not even have a moment of reflection where she could accept her mistakes and apologize as she should have. Talking about the issue on a platform like the one she did and in the way she did is also considered to be a complete mistake.
