In this Oct. 13, 2016 file photo, Ellen DeGeneres appears during a commercial break at a taping of “The Ellen Show” in Burbank, Calif. The Golden Globe Awards announced Monday, Nov. 5, 2019, it will give its new Carol Burnett Award, a TV special achievement trophy, to DeGeneres who has been a pioneering sitcom star, a TV talk show host and a game show host. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Ellen DeGeneres declared she’s bidding Hollywood farewell once her “last” comedy special gets released this year, following the series of “toxic behavior” controversies she got caught up in over the years.
During a recent stand-up show in Santa Rosa, California (via People Magazine), the seasoned comedian-host was asked whether she would return to show business full-time, two years after her talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” was canceled when staffers alleged “bad behavior” against her.
“No. This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done,” she stated.
Following her statement, DeGeneres canceled a number of her upcoming tour stops without citing any reason behind the cancellation, as reported by Forbes on July 10.
The 66-year-old stand-up comedian also briefly recalled the controversies she faced in previous years, hinting that her upcoming Netflix comedy special will address the allegations.
READ: Marvel star Evangeline Lilly announces she’s stepping away from Hollywood
“Let me catch you up on what’s been going on with me since you last saw me. I got chickens. Oh yeah, and I got kicked out of show business for being mean,” she expressed.
“I can be demanding, impatient, and tough. I am a strong woman. I am many things, but I am not mean,” asserted the actress-host.
DeGeneres remarked that soon enough she will get kicked out of the business for being “old.”
“I used to say, ‘I don’t care what people say about me. Now I realize I said that during the height of my popularity. Next time, I’ll be kicked out for being old. Old, gay, and mean—the triple crown,” she said.
In 2020, staffers of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” came forward to speak out about how the award-winning talk show host “mistreated employees and fostered a toxic workplace.”
At the time, DeGeneres addressed the workplace culture and apologized to the staff involved. Three executives from the show were fired.