Ellen DeGeneres: The Fall of the Queen of Daytime TV

In the blink of an eye, Ellen DeGeneres went from being the undisputed queen of daytime TV to becoming one of the most controversial figures in the entertainment world. After reigning for nearly two decades with her cheerful, kind-hearted persona, Ellen’s career unraveled dramatically, with her reputation as “the nicest person in show business” taking a severe hit. But looking back, there were warning signs—moments that foreshadowed the truth about the beloved talk show host.

One of the most glaring examples of Ellen’s true nature came when she pressured Mariah Carey into revealing her pregnancy before she was ready. On a 2008 interview, Ellen ambushed Mariah with questions about the rumors surrounding her pregnancy, pressuring her into a painful situation where she either had to confirm or deny it live on TV. What was meant to be a lighthearted interview quickly became uncomfortable, and Mariah’s reaction says it all. The incident left Mariah visibly shaken, especially after it was revealed that she later lost her child. In interviews years later, Mariah admitted that the entire moment haunted her.

And this wasn’t an isolated incident. Ellen’s show was full of uncomfortable, awkward, and downright toxic moments. Celebrities came on expecting easy, fun interviews but found themselves in the crosshairs of a host who had no issue using them for entertainment at their expense. Even Taylor Swift, a fellow powerhouse in the entertainment industry, wasn’t immune to Ellen’s antics. After years of Ellen’s pranks and jokes at her expense, Taylor finally turned the tables by writing a song about their experience—much to Ellen’s visible discomfort.

But what Ellen had been able to hide behind her sunny demeanor began to unravel as the years went on. Many of her guests and even her crew started speaking out about the toxic work environment behind the scenes. From allegations of racism, mistreatment, and a general lack of respect for staff, it became clear that the image of Ellen as the kind-hearted, generous host was merely a performance. As a result, Ellen faced a wave of backlash that grew too loud to ignore, especially when a Twitter thread in 2020 asking for people’s negative experiences with her blew up with thousands of responses.

It wasn’t just the famous faces on her show who had bad experiences. Regular employees, waiters, and even fans who crossed her path all shared their stories. Ellen was accused of treating people poorly, and despite her fame, no one dared to challenge her reputation—until it was too late. The #MeToo movement and the growing realization that power and fame could be used to exploit those beneath you, gave a voice to those who had suffered silently for years.

And yet, even with everything that came to light, Ellen continued to downplay the allegations. In her final seasons, her show became more and more of a shell of its former self—recycled content, tired segments, and a lack of effort made it evident that Ellen was no longer interested in maintaining the facade. When COVID-19 hit and forced the show to go virtual, Ellen’s public image took a further dive after she likened quarantine in her multi-million dollar mansion to being in prison. This tone-deaf comment only added fuel to the fire of criticism she was already facing.

Despite all this, Ellen continued to act as if her behavior was misunderstood. She returned with a Netflix special, playing the victim and dismissing the accusations as mere misunderstandings. But for many, it was too little, too late. The public had seen behind the curtain, and the damage was done. The empire she had built on kindness and compassion was in ruins, and her fall from grace was one of the most dramatic in entertainment history.

What makes Ellen’s story particularly unsettling is how her rise to fame and subsequent downfall highlights the dark side of Hollywood. How could someone like Ellen, who built a career on appearing genuine and friendly, treat people with such cruelty? The answer lies in the unchecked power she wielded, the toxic culture of the entertainment industry, and a public that was too willing to overlook her flaws because of her likable image.

In the end, Ellen’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fame and the dangers of forgetting the people you step on to maintain your position at the top. It’s a reminder that when someone gets too comfortable in their position of power, they begin to forget the basic decency that got them there in the first place. And when the truth finally comes out, the consequences can be devastating.

As for Ellen? She might have lost her show, but the lessons from her rise and fall are still deeply embedded in Hollywood’s power structures. The real question is—how many more “nice” faces are hiding similar secrets?