Ellen Degeneres has come forward to address the long-running whispers about behind-the-scenes workplace misconduct.
On Thursday (July 30), The Hollywood Reporter obtained a memo, in which the talk show host, 62, speaks on the allegations that Buzzfeed went public with earlier this month. As you probably heard, the editorial included anonymous allegations from a number of employees, touching on racism, unfair termination and a general notion of toxicity within the work culture. After the report went viral, an in-house investigation by Telepictures parent WarnerMedia took place. Reps for the company said in a statement that they were "disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management."
"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," she kicked off the note. "Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show."
DeGeneres went on to admit that show growth prompted her to turn to others to self-manage, a tactic that some did not fulfill, and she's intent on making sure it "does not happen again." Additionally, she said she does not want colleagues to speak on her behalf. "I'm also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop," she said.
Afterward, the host went on to cite her own risk at losing her career due to her sexuality as a reason for having compassion in treating others well, a fitting sentiment amid the Black Lives Matter movement. "It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention," she continued. "I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It’s important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so."
"I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I’m so sorry to anyone who didn’t have that experience. If not for COVID, I’d have done this in person, and I can’t wait to be back on our stage and see you all then," she concluded.
Photo: Getty Images