Ellen DeGeneres has found herself embroiled in an investigation into the working environment of The Ellen Show, after staff members working on the program recently alleged that they had been mistreated.
DeGeneres has since issued a public apology over the reports of mistreatment and misconduct on The Ellen Show. A portion of the apology reads:
"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."
The 62-year-old went on to explain that as the show's popularity increased, she made sure others did "their jobs as they knew I'd want them done".
"Clearly some didn't," she continued.
"That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again."
DeGeneres added: "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."
Variety reports that, while some senior creatives and producers returned to work this week, the investigation is ongoing.
Now, DeGeneres' wife, Portia De Rossi, has spoken out in support of the television host, just as a small number of stars began to speak out in public on behalf of DeGeneres.
Taking to Instagram to share an image that includes the message "I Stand By Ellen," De Rossi wrote, "To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support."
Singer Brandi Carlile was among the first to weigh in publicly in support of DeGeneres in the wake of the allegations. Per Yahoo! she commented on De Rossi's post, writing;
“Ellen has made my life so much easier for me and other #LGBTQ people. I'll never stop being grateful for that, but more importantly she's NEVER stopped making life better and easier for all kinds of people. This attack is unprecedented,”
This follows an Instagram post by star polo player Nacho Figueras, who took to Instagram to express his support for DeGeneres over the weekend.
“I have been patiently waiting for someone with more authority than me to speak up about what a great human being [Ellen] is," he wrote.
“I have been very lucky to be on that show many times and I can tell you that it is a very well run machine, everyone was super nice, not just to me but to each other and anyone involved. I have seen Ellen act not just in her show but in public appearances in theaters where she is nice to absolutely everyone, the guy serving the coffee, the person in the elevator, the security guy and the owner of the venue.”
Per Variety, the new season of Ellen is scheduled to premiere on September 9.
