Ellen DeGeneres, the renowned comedian and television host, recently expressed her decision to leave the United States in response to the re-election of President Donald Trump and the subsequent controversies surrounding her former show’s work environment. Reports from British media outlets shed light on her perspective, highlighting DeGeneres’s emotional reactions and new life choices alongside her wife, actress Portia de Rossi.
In late November, just ahead of the 2020 US election, DeGeneres and de Rossi relocated to the United Kingdom. Initially, they had planned to acquire what was meant to be a “part-time house.” However, their journey took a shocking turn when they learned of Trump’s re-election shortly after settling in. “We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis,” DeGeneres recounted during an event at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. This moment marked a significant point in their lives; instead of returning to the United States, they decided to make the UK their home.
Following their move, DeGeneres took the opportunity to openly express her fondness for the English countryside. At the Cheltenham event covered by news outlets such as the BBC and the Guardian, she proclaimed, “It’s absolutely beautiful… The villages and the towns and the architecture – everything you see is charming.” The 67-year-old comedian appreciated the contrast between life in the UK and her past experiences in the US, noting, “It’s clean. Everything here is just better – the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here.”
Despite the timing of their move coinciding with the winter season, DeGeneres cherished the experience of seeing snow for the first time. She excitedly shared that Portia brought her horses to the UK, and although they attempted to care for sheep for a brief period, it added to the novelty of their new life. The couple’s commitment to their lifestyle change signifies their desire for a more tranquil existence, away from the complexities of American culture.
Moreover, DeGeneres openly discussed her feelings about marriage equality in the United States. She announced that if the US were to reverse its legalization of gay marriage, she and Portia would have a wedding in the UK. In a poignant remark, she addressed the resistance against LGBTQ+ rights within America, specifically citing the stance of the Southern Baptist Convention that sought to ban gay marriage, stating, “They’re trying to literally stop it from happening in the future.” DeGeneres’s comments made it evident that she is staunchly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, while also acknowledging the struggles that continue to persist in Hollywood regarding acceptance.
In the wake of her show’s conclusion in 2022, DeGeneres faced significant scrutiny over allegations that her long-running talk show fostered a toxic work environment. During her recent discussions, she characterized her experience in the entertainment industry as particularly challenging. “It’s as simple as, I’m a direct person, and I’m very blunt, and I guess sometimes that means that… I’m mean?” she confessed. The stigma attached to her persona as “mean” has been a difficult label to shed, and she expressed her hurt regarding the ongoing perception.
Ultimately, Ellen DeGeneres’s journey of self-discovery and relocation reflects her desire for a more fulfilling life, where the beauty of the English countryside is juxtaposed against the realities of American politics and societal norms. Her openness about both her personal and professional challenges provides a glimpse into her resilience and her commitment to advocacy in a complex world. The significant shifts in her life—from her decisions about marriage, the essence of her work, to her aspirations—illustrate a narrative ripe with struggles and triumphs, showcasing that even public figures navigate a landscape of uncertainty and emotion.
