It has been a difficult year for television presenter Ellen DeGeneres, as the 62-year-old has faced accusations of perpetuating a "toxic" workplace on-set of her eponymous show.
As a result, ratings for her show plummeted, as more and more of the show's former employees and guests spoke out about Ellen and several of the show's producers.
Now, another person from Ellen's past has spoken out: her ex-girlfriend, Anne Heche.
Speaking to Mr. Warburton magazine, the 51-year-old American actress - who dated Ellen from 1997 until 2000 - said: "I haven’t spoken to Ellen in years. I’d listen to the people who have.
"If I’m standing someplace and I don’t like what’s going on there and I stay there, it’s my fault. So what are the actions that got me there and why can’t I get out of it easily if that’s not something that I want to be engaged in?"
"Ellen is standing where she walks, and that is hers to continue that journey."
Anne went on to call her time with Ellen a "beautiful part of my life” and one which she “wears with honor".
Last week, Ellen Show employee tWitch - real name Stephen Boss - has broken his silence surrounding the scandal in an interview with Us Weekly.
The beloved resident DJ said: "We can’t speak too much legally about it, but I’ll say this, there’s been love.
"Obviously there's some things to address, but from my standpoint and from countless others, there’s been love. I’ll just leave it at that until there’s a time where we can address more publicly."
Finally, the 37-year-old ended by reiterating: "There's been love and there will continue to be love."
But tWitch certainly isn't the only person to speak out in favor of Ellen and her show.
Singer Katy Perry has also spoken out in defense of her friend with the pregnant 35-year-old taking to Twitter to assert that she has only had positive experiences with Ellen.
"I know I can’t speak for anyone else’s experience besides my own but I want to acknowledge that I have only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen & on the @theellenshow," Perry wrote on Twitter.
"I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought to the world through her platform for decades. Sending you love & a hug, friend @TheEllenShow."
In addition, Ellen's brother, Vance DeGeneres, has also taken to social media to post a message of support for his sister.
He started by writing: "Ok, I need to say something. My sister is being viciously attacked. And let me assure you - it is all bulls**t."
He continued: "I put up a simple statement yesterday that said 'I stand by Ellen.' Only a handful of my Facebook 'friends' responded to it.
"If you don't support Ellen, then you don't support me, so please unfriend me. I'm sick and tired of my sister being attacked.
"She always has - and always will - stand against bullying of any kind. She's a smart, strong woman who has made a positive difference in the world. And to my friends who did respond with support for Ellen and my family, thank you so much. It means a lot."
Earlier this month, DeGeneres' wife, Portia De Rossi, also shared her support for the television host.
Taking to Instagram to share an image that said: "I Stand By Ellen". De Rossi added in the caption: "To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support."
Last month, DeGeneres sent an emotional plea to her employees promising changes to the series, which has been in production since 2003.
"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," she wrote in an email to staff on 30th July.
It continued: "Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others."
She added that she was glad her production team was "finally having conversations about fairness and justice".
The statement continued that while "not all of the allegations were corroborated", WarnerBros was "disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management".
Ellen has since been confirmed to host the upcoming 18th season of the talk show.
