Where did it all go wrong for Ellen DeGeneres? As the comedian announces she is 'done' with showbiz after her Netflix special - a look back at the scandal that engulfed her career

Ellen DeGeneres' autumn from grace was sparked by a single tweet penned by comedian Kevin T. Porter successful March 2020 asking group for nan 'most insane stories you've heard astir Ellen being mean,' which amassed 2,600 replies.

The comedian - who was antecedently known arsenic being a 'nice' nationalist figure- no uncertainty collapsed boundaries erstwhile she became nan big of her ain show in 2003, six years aft publically coming retired arsenic cheery and conscionable months aft returning to nan spotlight arsenic the voice of Dory successful nan deed Pixar movie Finding Nemo.

But while she had built a estimation arsenic a friends comic who doesn't usage profanity aliases make jokes astatine nan disbursal of others, rumors swirled successful Hollywood for years that she's not astir arsenic lukewarm and friends arsenic her nationalist persona suggests.

Those rumors came to a caput successful 2020 successful a watercourse of antagonistic press, pinch stars, crew, and non-Hollywood types alike coming guardant to stock their stories astir nan host.

So arsenic Ellen announces that will beryllium 'done' pinch showbiz aft her adjacent Netflix typical airs later this year, MailOnline takes a look astatine her swift autumn from nan top...

Ellen faced her first whiff of backlash successful October of 2019 erstwhile she took successful a Dallas Cowboys shot crippled successful a luxury container — wherever she sat adjacent to former President George W. Bush.

Cameras showed nan brace sitting side-by-side and seemingly enjoying each other's company, which led to a flood of disapproval online.

Critics pointed retired that while Ellen has been a trailblazer for nan LGBTQ community, Bush has backed respective policies that were hurtful to cheery group — including a proposed constitutional amendment that would person defined marriage arsenic a national betwixt 1 man and 1 woman.

Bush was besides against classifying crimes against cheery group arsenic gross crimes, and, arsenic galore pointed out, brought nan US into a long, costly, and deadly warfare successful Iraq connected nan ground of hidden weapons of wide demolition which were ne'er found. 

Ellen later addressed nan backlash connected her show, saying: 'I'm friends pinch George Bush. In fact, I'm friends pinch a batch of group who don't stock nan aforesaid beliefs that I have.

'Just because I don't work together pinch personification connected everything doesn't mean that I'm not going to beryllium friends pinch them. When I say, 'Be benignant to 1 another,' I don't mean only nan group that deliberation nan aforesaid measurement that you do. I mean, 'Be benignant to everyone, it doesn't matter.''

But it was that refrain — 'be benignant to everyone' — that would travel to mean much problem for Ellen, who has since been accused of being a hypocrite and not being benignant to galore people.

One of nan first critics to speak retired was Nikkie de Jager, a trans beauty blogger who goes by NikkieTutorials. She had appeared connected Ellen's show successful January of 2020 to talk astir coming retired arsenic trans, but nan adjacent period admitted that nan acquisition wasn't what she had hoped.

'Let maine opportunity that there's a large quality betwixt this show and Ellen DeGeneres, and I'm saying that successful favour of this show,' she said connected nan Dutch talk show 'De Wereld Draait Door.' 

'It's bully that you opportunity 'hi' earlier nan show. She didn't,' she added, agreeing pinch an appraisal that she was 'cold and distant.'

Whispers astir Ellen's behaviour grew into shots successful April 2020, erstwhile comedian Kevin T. Porter tweeted a plea for stories astir nan star.

'Right now we each request a small kindness. You know, for illustration Ellen Degeneres ever talks about!' he tweeted 

'She's besides notoriously 1 of nan meanest group alive. Respond to this pinch nan astir insane stories you've heard astir Ellen being mean & I'll lucifer each 1 w/ $2 to @LAFoodBank. 

More disapproval came Ellen's measurement aft her April 6 show, which was filmed from location astatine nan commencement of nan pandemic.

Speaking to nan camera from wrong her multimillion-dollar mansion, Ellen jokingly compared her plight to that of prisoners successful jail.

'One point I've learned from being successful quarantine is that group — this is for illustration being successful jail, is what this is,' she said. 'It's mostly because I've been wearing nan aforesaid apparel for 10 days, and everyone successful present is gay.'

Commenters quickly took to Twitter to knock nan prima for being reside deaf and retired of touch, pointing retired that successful summation to group dying from COVID-19, astir Americans watching her show were doing truthful from overmuch smaller and little luxurious homes.

What's more, critics said, making ray of nan challenges facing nan imprisoned organization was peculiarly ill-timed fixed their accrued consequence of contracting COVID.  

The backlash against Ellen continued to grow, pinch societal media users pointing to aged clips pinch personage guests that, successful retrospect, hinted astatine bad behavior.

In 1 peculiarly viral infinitesimal from 2019, Dakota Johnson shared a tense, awkward speech successful an on-air interview.

When Ellen asked Dakota really her day statement was — adding pinch a consecutive look that she 'wasn't invited — Dakota firmly pushed back, saying: 'Actually, no, that's not nan truth, Ellen. You were invited. 

'Last clip I was connected nan show, past year, you gave maine a bunch of s*** astir not inviting you. But I didn't moreover cognize you wanted to beryllium invited — I didn't moreover cognize you liked me... but I did induce you, and you didn't come.

When Ellen questioned her, doubting what Dakota said, she replied: 'Ask everybody. Ask Jonathan, your producer.'

In July 2020, BuzzFeed News published an exposé featuring 1 existent and 10 erstwhile labor of nan Louisiana-born funnywoman's erstwhile self-titled daytime talk show alleging racism, workplace bullying, and intersexual harassment.

'That 'be kind' bulls*** only happens erstwhile nan cameras are on. It's each for show' said one. 'I cognize they springiness money to group and thief them out, but it's for show.'

'I deliberation it is simply a batch of fume and mirrors erstwhile it comes to nan show's brand,' said another. 'They propulsion connected people's heartstrings; they do cognize that's going to get likes and what group are going to spell for, which is simply a affirmative message. But that's not ever reality.'

Most of nan accusations were astir nan workplace successful general, including different elder labor too Ellen. Ten former labor specifically accused 3 executive producers —Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, and Andy Lassner — of 'bullying.'

Among nan allegations was 1 made by a Black female who claimed she suffered a number of 'microaggressions,' her petition for a raise was ignored, and she was accused of 'walking astir looking resentful and angry' aft asking for unit members to acquisition diverseness and inclusion training. 

Glavin, Kevin Leman and co-executive shaper Jonathan Norman were each fired from nan celebrated talk show pursuing nan accusations leveled against them. 

But respective pointed retired that nan civilization of a workplace comes from nan top. 

By August 2020, WarnerMedia had launched an soul investigation, Ellen had issued a general apology to her 255 employees, and executive producers Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman were each fired from nan show. 

Variety reported that WarnerMedia, which distributes Ellen's show, had hired 'a 3rd statement firm' to motorboat an investigation into nan show's workplace culture.

Ellen, meanwhile, sent a memo to unit successful which she wrote she was 'taking steps... to correct' issues pinch her employees.

'On time 1 of our show, I told everyone successful our first gathering that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would beryllium a spot of happiness — nary 1 would ever raise their voice, and everyone would beryllium treated pinch respect. Obviously, thing changed, and I americium disappointed to study that this has not been nan case. And for that, I americium sorry,' Ellen said successful nan memo.

'As we've grown exponentially, I've not been capable to enactment connected apical of everything and relied connected others to do their jobs arsenic they knew I'd want them done. Clearly immoderate didn't,' she added. 'That will now alteration and I'm committed to ensuring this does not hap again.'  

Even Ellen's erstwhile DJ, Tony Okungbowa, posted astir nan talk show big connected Instagram, calling retired nan 'toxicity' of nan workplace.

'I person been getting calls asking maine astir nan Ellen Degeneres Show and I would for illustration to reside nan clip I spent there,' he wrote. 

'I was connected aerial talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007 -2013. While I americium grateful for nan opportunity it afforded me, I did acquisition and consciousness nan toxicity of nan situation and I guidelines pinch my erstwhile colleagues successful their quest to create a healthier and much inclusive workplace arsenic nan show moves forward.'  

That aforesaid month, much celebrities said up arsenic well. Brad Garrett of'Everybody Loves Raymond fame tweeted: 'Sorry but it comes from nan apical @TheEllenShow. Know much than 1 who were treated horribly by her.⁩ Common knowledge,' Garrett tweeted connected July 30. 

When People mag shared a tweet astir his remarks, Back to nan Future prima Lea Thompson replied: 'True story. It is.'

Australian power host Neil Breen besides opened up astir his acquisition pinch Ellen erstwhile he was an executive shaper connected nan Australian Today show successful 2013. 

'Because it's 'The Ellen Show,' they controlled everything,' he said. 'They controlled nan question and reply seats, nan lights, really it would work, everything.

'The producers called america speech and said, :This is really it's going to activity present this morning. Ellen's going to get astatine 10:15, and she'll beryllium sitting successful this chair here. And Richard, you'll beryllium sitting successful this chair here.'' 

They besides told him that 'no one's to talk to Ellen'.

'You don't talk to her, you don't attack her, you don't look astatine her. She'll travel in, she'll beryllium down, she'll talk to Richard, past Ellen will leave,' they said, according to Neil.

Of course, plentifulness of celebrities besides came to Ellen's defense. Among them were Ashton Kutcher, Katy Perry, Scooter Braun, and Kevin Hart.

Ellen's wife, Portia, besides posted successful support connected Instagram, writing: 'I Stand By Ellen.'    

But that wasn't capable to prevention nan show's ratings. According to a March New York Times report, nan show mislaid much than a cardinal viewers since September 2020, down to an mean of 1.5 cardinal viewers from 2.6 cardinal past year.

That's a 43 per cent viewership decline, and puts her astatine a cardinal less viewers than Dr. Phil and 1.2 cardinal little than Live: With Kelly and Ryan.

Ellen - who besides apologized to fans connected aerial - broadcast her last section of The Ellen DeGeneres Show connected May 26, 2022 aft 19 seasons.

She later branded it a 'coordinated misogynistic' onslaught connected her and she has mostly stayed retired of nan spotlight since nan extremity of nan show.

Earlier this week Ellen chose not to reside her fans earlier softly canceling 4 scheduled shows successful Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago connected her 32-date comeback tour.

The comedian's cancellations came hours aft SF Gate homepage editor Gabe Lehman published his elaborate reappraisal of her show astatine nan Luther Burbank Center for nan Arts successful Santa Rosa, CA.

'Unfortunately, nan Event Organizer has had to cancel your event,' Ticketmaster informed customers connected Wednesday.

'You don't request to do a thing. We'll rumor a refund to nan original method of costs utilized astatine clip of purchase, arsenic soon arsenic costs are received from nan Event Organizer.

'It should look connected your relationship wrong 14-21 days. Please Note: If nan tickets were transferred to you, nan refund will spell to nan instrumentality who primitively purchased nan tickets from Ticketmaster.'

Ellen is adjacent scheduled to execute connected Monday astatine nan Paramount Theatre successful Denver, CO.

Her drama typical is coming retired later this year. It will beryllium her 2nd Netflix special, pursuing 2018's Relatable.

Ellen began her profession doing stand-up and made waves pinch her first quality on The Tonight Show pinch Johnny Carson.

She began earning parts connected TV, and successful 1994, she landed her ain sitcom called 'Ellen.' The show was a hit, and astatine nan tallness of its fame successful 1997, she did thing fewer celebrities had done astatine nan time: She publically came retired arsenic gay, arsenic did her on-screen change ego.

While nan move was monumental for nan LGBTQ organization — and was 1 of nan highest-rated episodes of nan show — it led to unsmooth times for Ellen, whose sitcom was canceled a twelvemonth later.

Ellen had fewer roles aft nan show ended, though she did big Saturday Night Live and nan 53rd Primetime Emmy Awards successful 2001.

But things started to look up successful 2003: She voiced nan beloved forgetful food Dory successful nan Oscar-winning animated movie Finding Nemo, and a fewer months aft it was released began headlining her ain talk show.

The talk show started disconnected pinch a bang, with Jennifer Aniston — past starring successful nan last play of Friends — appearing arsenic her first guest. That first play alone, nan show was nominated for 11 Daytime Emmy Awards, and won four, including Best Talk Show. 

Ratings continues to rise, and each of nan biggest stars successful Hollywood stopped by to be  interviewed.

Over nan years, she's welcomed connected nan Kardashians galore times — sometimes each together — arsenic good arsenic Oprah, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Brad Pitt, Kevin Hart, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Bradley Cooper, Zac Efron, Will Smith, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, Drew Barrymore, Adele, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Matthew Broderick, Bon Jovi, Pierce Brosnan, and Carol Burnett.

She's hosted presidents and first ladies — including President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush — arsenic good arsenic erstwhile Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Other stars who person appeared include Steve Carell, Mariah Carey, Cher, George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, Ted Danson, Patrick Dempsey, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris, Janet Jackson, One Direction, Dolly Parton, Meryl Streep, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Ivanka Trump, John Travolta, Serena Williams, Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood, and Sofia Vergara.

Ellen became known for dancing connected nan show, and brought connected countless guests who'd earned online fame pinch viral videos — including, astir memorably, Sophia Grace and Rosie, who performed Nicki Minaj's opus Super Bass.

The show had plentifulness of viral moments of its own, including nan clip Kristen Bell shared a clip of herself breaking down successful happy tears complete a sloth. 

Ellen's profession skyrocketed. In 2005, she hosted the 57th Primetime Emmy Awards, followed by the 79th Academy Awards successful 2007 and the 86th Academy Awards successful 2014.

She judged play 9 of American Idol successful 2010, put retired a caller standup typical successful 2018, and served as executive shaper connected specified shows as Bethenny, Little Big Shots, and The Masked Dancer.

She's besides racked up lucrative advertisement campaigns with American Express, CoverGirl Cosmetics, and J.C. Penney, and has sold her ain products connected QVC and astatine Walmart. 

And since her talk show premiered, it has received a full of 171 Daytime Emmy Award nominations, pinch 61 Daytime Emmy Award wins.

In fact, she won much Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment — 11 — than The Oprah Winfrey Show, which won nine.  

The show has averaged astir 4.2+ cardinal viewers per episode, and for years was nan 3rd astir highly viewed daytime show down Live pinch Kelly and Ryan and Dr. Phil.