Ellen DeGeneres addressed the toxic environment allegations on her show today as she walked out out onstage for the Season 18 premiere of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She did not waste much time and straight away started with an apology on the countless allegations that were hurled against the show’s producers and top-end staff as well as Ellen. She said, “If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome.”
Ellen was in the eye of a storm when former employees levied toxic work environment allegations as well as sexual misconduct charges on producers and Ellen for turning a blind-eye. An internal investigation was launched by Warner Bros. and a month later three of the show’s top producers were fired. On Monday’s episode, Ellen said sarcastically, “How was everybody’s summer? Good? Mine was great. Super terrific!”
Ellen's tone turned sombre and she further said, “I’m so happy to be back in the studio; there are a lot of things I want to talk about, I’ve been looking forward to addressing it all directly, and, unfortunately, talking to people has been illegal for six months. I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who are affected. 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.”
She said that there have been ‘a lot of conversations’ with her employees about their workplace and how to make it better. Ellen drew applause from the crowd as she said, “We have made the necessary changes, and today, we are starting a new chapter. Maybe some of you know, I was an actress — I’ve played a straight woman in movies, so I’m a pretty good actress. But I don’t think that I’m that good that I could come out here every day for 17 years and fool you. This is me. My intention is to always be the best person I can be. And if I’ve ever let someone down, if I’ve ever hurt their feelings, I am so sorry for that. If that’s ever the case, I’ve let myself down and I’ve hurt myself as well. All I want is for every single person who works on my show to be happy and to be proud to work here.”
(Source: Instagram)
