Ellen Degeneres says she’s ‘proud’ of who she’s become after being labeled as ‘mean’ in toxic workplace scandal

Ellen Degeneres got candid in her latest stand-up special on Netflix, “For Your Approval.”

The former talk show host told an audience she is “proud” of who she’s become four years after she was labeled as “mean” and accused of leading a toxic workplace.

“When you’re a public figure, you’re open to everyone’s interpretation. And I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that, ‘What other people think of me is none of my business.’ Because people will say all kinds of things and you have no control over that. But you know the truth and that’s all that matters,” she shared.

Ellen Degeneres, pictured above, admitted she’s “proud” of who she’s become in her latest stand-up special, which comes years after the comedian was labeled as mean and accused of leading a toxic work environment. TheEllenShow/YouTube “I’ve spent an entire lifetime trying to make people happy and I’ve cared far too much what other people think of me,” said Degeneres. ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX

While she acknowledged that her career in comedy forced her to “care what people think” as a way to gauge success, DeGeneres admitted she’s done focusing on what others feel about her — especially after allowing the “mean” label “consume” her.

“If they like you, you’re in, and if they don’t, you’re out. And I’ve spent an entire lifetime trying to make people happy and I’ve cared far too much what other people think of me. So, the thought of anyone thinking that I’m mean was devastating to me, and it consumed me for a long time,” she continued.

“After a lifetime of caring, I just can’t anymore. So I don’t.”

“The thought of anyone thinking that I’m mean was devastating to me, and it consumed me for a long time,” Degeneres said of the allegations. Instagram / @ellendegeneres Now that she has gained “perspective” with age, the comedian said she’s “happy not being a boss or a brand or a billboard, just a person.” NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

“But if I’m being honest… and I have a choice of people remembering me as someone who was mean or someone who was beloved. Be-lov-ed? Beloved? Beloved. Someone who is beloved?” the comedian further lamented. “I choose that.”

Now that Degeneres has gained “perspective” with age, she’s “happy not being a boss or a brand or a billboard, just a person.”

The comedian came under fire when employees of her eponymous talk show — which ran for 19 seasons between 2003 to 2022 — came forward alleging DeGeneres led the set with intimidation, racism and fear. The scandal resulted in the firing of three top producers on the show.

Degeneres first came under fire in July 2020 after several employees came forward alleging the “Finding Dory” star led their workplace environment on her award-winning talk show with intimidation, racism, and fear. Getty Images The scandal resulted in the firing of three top producers on the show Getty Images for Live Nation

Following the end of her talk show, the “Finding Dory” star officially made her comedy comeback in April with her “Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour.” Though, at the time, she joked that she was “kicked out” of Hollywood for not being nice.

“I became this one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps. Do you know how hard it is to dance up steps? Would a mean person dance up steps? Had I ended my show by saying, ‘Go f–k yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised,” she said of the allegations on stage.

“Eventually they’re going to kick me out for a third time because I’m mean, old, and gay,” she quipped.