Ellen DeGeneres is permanently stepping away from the spotlight following her upcoming Netflix special.
During her current stand-up tour, Ellen DeGeneres announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, New York Post reported.
The renowned television host and comedian shared this news on stage during her "Ellen's Last Stand … Up tour." This decision follows a period marked by controversy and public scrutiny, primarily due to allegations of a toxic work environment on her popular talk show.
Ellen has been a beloved voice in entertainment for decades, most notably as the titular character in "Finding Nemo." However, she confirmed she will no longer voice the character Dory or engage in any other entertainment roles. Her withdrawal is a complete step back from her career, not just select aspects.
The toxic workplace claims that surfaced in 2020 clouded her show's reputation, leading to its conclusion in May 2022. Since then, Ellen has kept a relatively low profile.
At a stand-up show on July 1, 2023, Ellen openly discussed her demanding nature but refuted being mean. "I can be demanding and impatient and tough. I am a strong woman. I am many things, but I am not mean," she explained to the audience, shedding light on her perspective on the controversies.
During a performance in West Hollywood in April last year, Ellen revealed how ongoing public backlash profoundly affected her, even reshaping her view of media coverage about herself.
The upcoming Netflix special, anticipated later in 2024, will extensively address these controversies. Ellen has confirmed that this program will mark her farewell to the industry and her fans.
Contrary to rumors, Ellen clarified that her decision to end her talk show was driven more by a lack of creative fulfillment than by the backlash she endured. She emphasized the need for new challenges, which the show no longer provided. Ellen furthers this sentiment in a recent press release regarding her Netflix special: "To answer the questions everyone is asking me — Yes, I'm going to talk about it. Yes, this is my last special."
Ellen's announcement came off as a sober acknowledgment of her journey and the consequences of the celebrity culture that once celebrated her as the epitome of kindness. "The hate went on for a long time, and I would try to avoid looking at the news. The 'be kind' girl wasn't kind. That was the headline." she reflected.
This statement not only anticipates the reflective tone of her final Netflix special but also encapsulates her complex relationship with fame—especially in its latter stages.
As Ellen prepares to close this chapter of her life, her departure signifies more than just the end of a career; it marks the conclusion of an era in daytime television centered around her unique brand of humor and generosity, albeit complicated by her later controversies.
The comedian's retreat from public life and professional engagements suggests a period of personal reassumption and, potentially, a redefinition of legacy apart from the industry that made her a household name.
