Ellen DeGeneres’ bullying scandal reignites with new bombshell claims

Ellen DeGeneres is embroiled in fresh workplace bullying allegations, with a former cameraman revealing new details of toxic behavior, including discrimination and intimidation, reigniting the scandal that first surfaced five years ago. The claims emerged on August 27, 2025, when an ex-staffer from “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” provided an account to the Daily Mail, alleging that DeGeneres harbored a particular aversion to male employees, especially those who engaged with her wife, Portia de Rossi. This source reported that male staff were frequently dismissed, with instances of up to nine stage managers being replaced in a single season, creating an atmosphere of fear and instability. DeGeneres’ behavior was described as intimidating, with the cameraman coining the term “Ellen gaze” to describe a menacing look where her eyes narrowed and cheekbones protruded, evoking comparisons to a monarch contemplating execution. This gaze was said to be terrifying for employees, who lived in constant apprehension of displeasing the host. A specific conflict involved celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who was allegedly banned from the show for several seasons after criticizing the use of spoiled meat during a cooking demonstration. DeGeneres is claimed to have instructed executive producers to exclude Ramsay from future appearances, demonstrating her influence over guest selections. Perhaps the most distressing allegation concerns a high-ranking producer who was pressured to reschedule his child’s critical surgery, a bone marrow transplant, to align with the show’s holiday taping schedule. This incident, while it’s unclear if DeGeneres was directly aware, highlights the extreme loyalty demanded from staff, often at the expense of their personal lives. These new revelations come against the backdrop of the original 2020 scandal, where numerous employees accused DeGeneres of fostering a toxic work environment characterized by racism, fear, and intimidation. That earlier outcry led to an internal investigation by WarnerMedia, public apologies from DeGeneres, and the firing of several producers, but the show ultimately ended in 2022 due to reputational damage. Since the show’s conclusion, DeGeneres has relocated to England and has occasionally addressed the allegations, characterizing them as misogynistic and orchestrated. In a stand-up special last year, she emphasized knowing the truth despite public perception, but these latest claims suggest that the controversy continues to resonate. The resurgence of these allegations underscores persistent issues within the entertainment industry regarding workplace culture and power dynamics. It also reflects on DeGeneres’ legacy, challenging the “be kind” persona she cultivated on screen with accounts of behind-the-scenes behavior. As of now, DeGeneres has not responded to these specific claims, and representatives for Gordon Ramsay have also remained silent when contacted for comment. The ongoing nature of these stories indicates that the impact of the initial scandal remains significant, with new details periodically emerging to keep the discourse alive.