Ellen DeGeneres is addressing allegations that the culture at her daytime talk show fostered a toxic work environment.
In an open letter to her staff, DeGeneres acknowledges some of the issues and takes responsibility for not being able to “stay on top of everything.”
The Hollywood Reporter obtained a copy of the letter and said that some employees who contributed to the problems at the show, including executive producer Ed Glavin, will be let go. “Once he’s out, it will be like a new day,” a source close to the show told THR.
“Hey everybody — it’s Ellen,” DeGeneres began. “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.”
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DeGeneres’ statement comes after a July 16 BuzzFeed News article, that said nearly a dozen current and former Ellen employees spoke to the outlet anonymously and reported experiencing racism, fear, and intimidation at the show.
The article also said DeGeneres’ “nice girl” demeanor is an act. “That ‘be kind’ bullshit only happens when the cameras are on. It’s all for show,” one former employee told the publication. “I know they give money to people and help them out, but it’s for show.”
As a result of the scathing report, it was announced earlier this week that parent company WarnerMedia would be conducting an internal investigation, prompting the firing of some employees, as well as DeGeneres to break her silence and apologize to the show’s staff.
Glavin and a few other executive producers (Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner) responded with a statement to BuzzFeed‘s report and said: “Over the course of nearly two decades, 3,000 episodes, and employing over 1000 staff members, we have strived to create an open, safe, and inclusive work environment. We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us.”
DeGeneres also noted that she would be taking responsibility for the issues that have developed over time at her show.
“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,” DeGeneres said. “Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”
In the letter, DeGeneres also noted how she has experienced what it’s like to be marginalized and judged, and she was apologetic that any of her staff had felt that way.
“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,” DeGeneres wrote. “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.”
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Warner Bros. said WarnerMedia has found “deficiencies” in how the show was run, adding that there will be “several staffing changes made,” and the company has also identified “appropriate measures to address the issues that have been raised.”
Adding to the problems at the show, on Thursday night, Buzzfeed News published a new article, alleging executive producers engaged in “rampant sexual misconduct.”
Keep scrolling to read DeGeneres’ full letter to her staff:
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
