The former talk show host shared with her audience that she feels proud of the person she has become, four years after being labelled as “mean” and accused of fostering a toxic workplace.
She emphasised that, as a public figure, she is subject to everyone’s interpretations, but believes that what others think of her is “none of her business.”
Although her career in comedy forced her to care about people’s opinions as a measure of success, she admitted that she’s done focusing on others’ perceptions, especially after letting the “mean” label consume her. She stated that, after a lifetime of trying to make people happy, she simply can’t care anymore.
She further expressed her desire to be remembered as someone who was beloved, not mean, and shared that she has gained perspective with age, finding happiness in just being a person rather than a boss or a brand.
The comedian faced backlash when employees of her talk show alleged intimidation, racism, and fear in the workplace, which led to the firing of three top producers. Following the end of her talk show, she made her comedy comeback in April with “Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour.”
On stage, she joked about being “kicked out” of Hollywood for not being nice and the one-dimensional character she was known for on her show.
She also humorously quipped about being kicked out a third time for being mean, old, and gay.
