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In the midst of rumors floating around about Ellen DeGeneres creating a toxic work environment on The Ellen Show, many celebrities–like Ashton Kutcher, Katy Perry, and Kevin Hart–have started defending the talk show host. However, other celebrities have done the opposite, confirming the rumors.
So what is the truth? Ellen’s ex, Anne Heche, recently spoke about the accusations against the comedian, and you’re definitely going to want to hear what she has to say.
Heche, who dated Ellen in the '90s, told Mr. Warburton magazine about their relationship in a recent interview.
She told the outlet, "Our time was a beautiful part of my life and one that I wear with honor. I was a part of a revolution that created social change, and I could not have done that without falling in love with her."
Despite these good memories of Ellen, Heche does not think dismissing the claims against her is the right call.
Speaking about the scandal surrounding Ellen and her show, Heche explained that she has not had contact with the host in years: "I haven’t spoken to Ellen in years."
She continued, "I’d listen to the people who have."
Heche also touched on the idea that it was not Ellen herself who created a toxic work environment, but the show's executive producers.
She explained, "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?"
According to The Hollywood Reporter, during a staff Zoom call, Ellen said, "I feel like I've kind of let the ball drop a bit because I'm focused on the show, I go in and I do the show, and I've just let everybody to do their jobs – to run different departments. And it just became a well-oiled machine, and I think that is the problem."
However, even if that is the case and Ellen is not directly to blame for the "toxic" work environment, she still has a role to play in finding a solution.
Heche explained, "Ellen is standing where she walks, and that is hers to continue that journey.”
