Ellen DeGeneres returned to her talk show today (Monday) and finally addressed the controversy surrounding her.
The comedian started things by saying, “If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome.”
She added, “How was everybody’s summer, good? Mine was great. Super terrific.”
In recent months, Ellen has been inundated with allegations, from creating a toxic workplace to being mean to guests. The star, who fired three executives from her show, said, “I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously and I want to say that I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power and I realize with that power comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
She insisted that after apologizing and speaking to staff "we have made the necessary changes and today we are starting a new chapter.”
Ellen also said she's really the person that people see on TV, but she’s “also a lot of other things,” noting that she gets sad, mad, frustrated, anxious and impatient. “I’m working on all of that,” she said. “I am a work in progress.”
Peoplemagazine reports that her wife, PortiadeRossi, was backstage to support her and that the crew applauded Ellen when she walked off the set after taping.