Ellen addresses staff in emotional letter, promises change

Ellen DeGeneres has finally broken her silence following allegations that the work culture on her popular daytime series is toxic, and that employees who have worked there faced racism, microaggressions, and lost their jobs after mental health or bereavement days.“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,” DeGeneres wrote in an emotional letter to staff, which has been obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.“I could not have the success I've had without all of your contributions,” she continued. “My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we've grown exponentially, I've not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done. Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”According to THR, executive producer Ed Glavin will soon be out following the results of that investigation, in which he was reportedly called out for problematic behaviour by name. "Once he's out, it will be like a new day," a source said, adding that DeGeneres was kept away from Glavin's day-to-day handling or mishandling of the staff. The source adds that others are expected to lose their jobs as well. Just earlier this week rumours surfaced that WarnerMedia was investigating the numerous misconduct claims that surfaced in a July 16 BuzzFeed News report, but the powers-that-be, including Ellen herself, have declined to comment on next steps until now.“I'm also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop,” DeGeneres continued in her letter. “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.” DeGeneres historically came out as herself and as her primetime TV character Ellen Morgan to 42 million viewers in 1997.In the BuzzFeed piece, The Ellen DeGeneres Show employees (10 former and one current) spoke anonymously and at length about the mistreatments they faced while working on the series. One employee detailed losing their job after a suicide attempt, a Black employee recalled being told by a writer, “I only know the names of the white people who work here,” and many claimed that only those who drank the culture Kool-Aid were rewarded with some of the show’s promotional items, like gift cards and iPhones.“It's been way too long, but we're finally having conversations about fairness and justice. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I'm glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It's important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so,” DeGeneres added in her letter.“I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I'm so sorry to anyone who didn't have that experience. If not for COVID, I'd have done this in person, and I can't wait to be back on our stage and see you all then.”