Ellen DeGeneres is having a bad year so far.
There have been many accusations about The Ellen DeGeneres Show creating a toxic work environment for employees and about Ellen herself being cold, unkind, and cruel to those she interacts with.
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Many people have come forward with their own stories , some in support and others in defense of these accusations.
Much of the drama surrounding Ellen began with a Twitter thread.
A tweet went viral asking for people’s stories about Ellen “being mean” that got 70 thousand likes, 18 thousand retweets, and tons of stories about her alleged attitude from people who had met her.
While most of these stories remain unconfirmed, it has sparked a conversation.
Former employees of *Ellen* then spoke out to Buzzfeed about their experience working with Ellen.
One former employee claimed that Ellen’s famous “be kind” mantra “only happens when the cameras are on. It’s all for show. I know they give money to people and help them out, but it’s for show.”
Some employees claimed they were fired after taking medical leave or bereavement days to attend family funerals.
Others echoed a common theme that arose in the Twitter thread that they were instructed not to make eye contact with Ellen herself or to speak to her without being spoken to first.
It was then announced that WarnerMedia had launched an investigation into the alleged workplace misconduct on the show’s set.
“We have identified several staffing changes, along with appropriate measures to address the issues that have been raised, and are taking the first steps to implement them. Warner Bros. and Ellen DeGeneres are all committed to ensuring a workplace based on respect and inclusion. We are confident this course of action will lead us to the right way forward for the show,” said a Warner Bros. spokesperson .
Tony Okungbowa is a familiar face to those longtime watchers of *Ellen*.
Tony was Ellen’s in-show DJ from 2003 to 2006 and then again from 2007 to 2013, bringing the total number of years he was a regular on the show to nine. Many have wondered about Tony’s experience on the show, and he has spoken out on his Instagram.
Tony began by sharing a photograph of himself on the *Ellen* set.
“Hey Guys,” he wrote , “I hope you are all keeping safe out there during these trying times. I have been getting calls asking me about the Ellen Degeneres Show and I would like to address the time I spent there.”
“I was on air talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007 -2013.”
“While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward,” he finished.
Fans were incredibly grateful to him for speaking out.
“You are such a shining soul and I applaud your honesty and strength,” one fan commented.
“I felt nothing but positivity from your corner of the show,” another fan wrote.
What do you think about all of this drama? Are you on Team Ellen like Katy Perry, Portia De Rossi, and Kevin Hart, or do you believe the accusations from former employees and guests like Tony, Brad Garrett, and the anonymous employees who spoke to Buzzfeed ? Let us know in the comments!
