The precise day that fans may expect to see Ellen DeGeneres in show business has been disclosed.
The 66-year-old host and performer faced accusations in 2020 that she maintained a “toxic work environment” behind the scenes of her talk program of the same name, which made its premiere on September 8, 2003.
Variety reports that some staff members accused executive producers of bigotry, sexual misbehavior, and intimidation. Additionally, there were claims that a number of employees were afraid to take medical leave for fear of punishment and that they would suffer consequences for filing complaints.
Amid the media storm, DeGeneres apologized at the time, saying: “I’m in a position of privilege and power, and… I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
However, the controversy never helped the show bounce back, and in May 2022, it concluded its 19-year run.
As a part of her Netflix Last Stand-Up Tour, DeGeneres has now made a comeback to stand-up comedy.
She said last month that she will be “done” with show business after the tour is over, so it would seem that she is living up to the tour’s name.
One viewer questioned DeGeneres last month during the Q&A portion of the program about whether or not she would like to do theater on Broadway or go back to making movies once the tour was over.
“Um, no,” the comic responded, according to SFGate. “This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
Degeneres has now officially disclosed the concluding date of her tour.
In a romantic Instagram post celebrating her wedding anniversary and wife Portia De Rossi, Degeneres wrote: “I will be celebrating my 16th wedding anniversary on the 16th of August in Minneapolis, filming my final Netflix special. What a day!!!”
“I’m so lucky to be loved by the most amazing person I’ve ever met. I love you Portia. You’re my everything,” she added.
According to DeGeneres’ most recent remarks, August 16 is presumably the “last time” the general public will see her in a famous role.
Time will tell if she keeps her word or if her followers’ support may eventually catapult her back into the public eye.
DeGeneres made multiple jokes about her treatment after the 2020 charges, referencing her expulsion from Hollywood during her most recent tour.
Speaking to an audience back in April, the comedian opened up about becoming “the most hated person in America,,” saying: “I got kicked out of show business. There’s no mean people in show business,” as cited in The Guardian.
She said that the scandal reduced her television legacy, explaining: “The hate went on for a long time and I would try to avoid looking at the news. The ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind.”
“I became this one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps… Had I ended my show by saying, ‘Go f**k yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised,” she continued.
Ellen went on to discuss how her sitcom of the same name was canceled in the 1990s after she came out as homosexual, claiming that this has now happened twice.
“For those of you keeping score, this is the second time I’ve been kicked out of show business… Eventually they’re going to kick me out for a third time because I’m mean, old, and gay,” she said.
The host made light of the turbulent time, but she did admit that she “had a hard time” and “didn’t get out” during the controversy. She also claimed that this was the second time in her career that she had been made “persona non grata,” the first being when she came out as homosexual in 1997.
“I’m making jokes about what happened to me, but it was devastating, really,” she said. “It took a long time for me to want to do anything again.”
DeGeneres explained that she “just hated the way the show ended,” adding, “I love that show so much, and I just hated that the last time people would see me was that way.”