Ellen DeGeneres Apologizes to Staff Following Allegations of Toxic Work Culture: ‘I Take Responsibility’

Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Ellen DeGeneres has apologized to staff following allegations of racism and other toxic and discriminatory actions at the hands of producers of her show, which were originally detailed in a Buzzfeed News report on the show’s workplace environment.

Several former Ellen employees, and one current employee, detailed an environment allegedly filled with racism and forms of intimidation, which clashed with the show’s “be kind” mantra.

“I think it is a lot of smoke and mirrors when it comes to the show’s brand,” one employee told Buzzfeed News. “They pull on people’s heartstrings; they do know that’s going to get likes and what people are going to go for, which is a positive message. But that’s not always reality.”

One employee claimed that their position was eliminated after they took a medical leave following a suicide attempt, while another said producers ignored and mocked her complaints of racism and microaggressions.

The allegations prompted WarnerMedia to launch an investigation into the daytime show, which ultimately uncovered “deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management.”

DeGeneres has reached out to staff following the allegations and the subsequent investigation — lamenting that her show, which she originally cultivated as “a place of happiness,” has taken a turn for the worse.

“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done,” she wrote. “Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”

DeGeneres took responsibility for the toxic culture, noting that her name is on the show, but explained that people had been misrepresenting her while speaking on her behalf.

“It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice,” she added. “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. 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.”

Read the full letter below:

Hey everybody — it’s Ellen. 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. 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.

I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.

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. As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or — worse — disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me.

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. 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.

Stay safe and healthy.

Love,

Ellen