For decades, Ellen DeGeneres reigned as the queen of daytime television, known for her bubbly personality and “be kind” mantra.

But in 2020, the empire she had spent years building came crashing down.

While fans admired her sunny disposition, behind the scenes, Ellen’s reputation was a far cry from the image she had carefully cultivated.

“You know, Ellen’s always been known as the nicest person, but after everything that’s happened, people are starting to wonder: was it all just a performance?”
The Queen of Daytime’s Fall From Grace
By 2020, Ellen was one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood.

Her talk show was a household name, and her career had reached unimaginable heights.

Yet, within a matter of days, everything unraveled.

The public was shocked by allegations of mistreatment of her staff, toxic workplace behavior, and her true persona being revealed as the opposite of her public image.

For years, Ellen had managed to present herself as the kind-hearted, lovable host of daytime television.

But as more stories emerged, the cracks in this image began to show.

Ellen’s downfall didn’t come from a single mistake.

Instead, it was the accumulation of countless behind-the-scenes behaviors that painted a picture of a woman who was far from the kindness she preached.

One of the earliest signs of her true character emerged when she pressured Mariah Carey into revealing her pregnancy before she was ready.

The Mariah Carey Incident: A Turning Point
In 2008, Mariah Carey appeared on Ellen’s show, where she was ambushed with questions about rumors that she was pregnant.

While Ellen played it off as innocent fun, it was clear that the pressure she placed on Mariah was uncomfortable.

“You want to toast to you not being pregnant, right?” Ellen joked, despite Mariah’s clear discomfort.

The incident, however, wasn’t just a moment of poor judgment—it was a glaring example of Ellen’s tendency to cross boundaries for the sake of a good story.

Mariah, who had suffered a miscarriage shortly after the interview, later expressed just how damaging that moment was for her.

“I was extremely uncomfortable with that moment,” Mariah admitted years later, still grappling with the trauma caused by Ellen’s ambush.

This was just the beginning of a series of incidents where Ellen’s “niceness” began to unravel.

Behind the Smile: The Real Ellen
Ellen’s rise to stardom wasn’t as smooth as many believed.

Her career started in the 1980s as a stand-up comedian, and after years of hard work, Ellen became one of the most famous figures in Hollywood.

Her sitcom, Ellen, made history when she came out as gαy in 1997, a brave and pioneering moment for LGBTQ+ representation.

However, shortly after, the show was canceled, and Ellen faced a significant public backlash for her sєxuality.

Despite this setback, Ellen’s career took off again in 2003 when she began hosting The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

This marked the beginning of her new image as the “nicest” host on television.

She quickly became known for her playful demeanor, celebrity interviews, and signature dances.

However, as time went on, there were growing signs that Ellen wasn’t as friendly as she seemed.

Stories of her poor treatment of staff, her harsh criticisms of guests, and her generally unapproachable attitude started to surface.

A Toxic Environment: Staff Speak Out
In 2020, following a viral tweet by comedian Kevin Porter, stories from Ellen’s staff began to flood social media.

A slew of former employees shared their experiences of working on the Ellen show, revealing a toxic work environment.

Many claimed that they were expected to work in an atmosphere of fear, where they could be fired without warning or support.

One former employee described how Ellen’s treatment was often dismissive and harsh.

“You couldn’t even make eye contact with her.

She would ignore you, and if you made the mistake of speaking to her, you’d feel like you had done something wrong,” they shared.

The most disturbing reports came from staff who spoke of being subjected to racial discrimination and bullying from Ellen’s producers.

One former employee revealed that after they posted a GoFundMe for help with medical expenses, Ellen’s producers told them to take it down because it made Ellen look bad.

These accounts were further validated by a BuzzFeed article, which exposed the deep-seated issues on the show.

Despite her carefully curated image, Ellen was unmasked as a far cry from the beloved figure people had seen on TV.

The Dakota Johnson Incident: Ellen Gets Called Out
One of the most iconic moments that contributed to Ellen’s downfall was the viral clip of her awkward interview with Dakota Johnson.

Ellen attempted to mock Dakota for not inviting her to her birthday party, but Dakota wasn’t having it.

“Actually, no, that’s not the truth,” Dakota replied, revealing that she had invited Ellen, but Ellen hadn’t responded.

Ellen’s discomfort was palpable, and it was clear that she was caught off guard.

The incident revealed much about Ellen’s ego—she wasn’t used to being challenged, and it was uncomfortable to watch.

“Why do you deny it?” Ellen pressed, trying to twist the situation, but Dakota was prepared to stand her ground.

This was a rare moment where someone stood up to Ellen on her own show, and it highlighted her controlling nature and how she handled conflict.

The Breaking Point: 2020 and the End of Ellen’s Reign
The tipping point came in 2020, when Ellen was hit with a barrage of accusations.

Staff members began to speak out about the abusive environment, and a story about Ellen’s behavior during the pandemic further tarnished her reputation.

When the lockdown began, Ellen posted a video on social media comparing her life in quarantine to being in “jail,” from the comfort of her $96 million mansion.

This tone-deaf statement caused an immediate backlash, as millions of people struggled with the realities of the pandemic.

The situation only worsened when Ellen’s staff was informed that they would not be paid and that the crew would be replaced with a cheaper, non-union tech team.

This blatant disregard for the people who had worked for her for years fueled the fire, and Ellen’s once-beloved image crumbled.

The Final Fall: Ellen’s Legacy in Hollywood
After nearly two decades of success, Ellen’s show was canceled in 2022.

The cancellation was seen as a direct result of the controversy surrounding her, and Ellen’s reputation as “America’s sweetheart” was irreparably damaged.

Despite this, Ellen tried to salvage her image by releasing a Netflix special in 2024 titled For Your Approval.

However, the special was widely panned, with many viewers criticizing her for playing the victim in a situation where she had been exposed as a bully.

While Ellen still has a significant following on social media and has attempted to reinvent herself, her time in the public eye has clearly diminished.

Her legacy will forever be tied to the hypocrisy of her “be kind” mantra and the toxic work culture she fostered behind the scenes.