Ellen DeGeneres has been one of the last personalities to make public that she has been infected with coronavirus. The comedian and TV presenter, 62, announced a few days ago that she had had a positive in covid and that, although she is fine, she will not resume her famous show until after the Christmas holidays. “I wanted to tell everyone that I tested positive for covid-19. Luckily, I’m fine for now. All who have been in close contact with me have been notified, and are following all the appropriate directions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I will see you all after the holidays. Please, stay healthy and safe “, the famous presenter communicated on her social networks.
A message with which he says goodbye to his audience and one annus horribilis in which the author of that famous celebrity who immortalized during the gala of the Oscars six years ago – along with the most sought-after actors and actresses in Hollywood – has not only had to deal with the pandemic, but also various controversies in those that have been involved and that have affected their popularity. Whoever was described as the funniest woman in America lived during the months of confinement turbulent times that have placed her at the center of the target of much criticism.
The story of this downhill started in March, coinciding with the U.S. confinement obligation. Also comedian Kevin Porter invited Twitter users to share the stories “more places” on the dark side of the comedian, something that has been one of those eternal rumors circulating about the world of entertainment. Teuit received miles and miles of responses. The issue became more serious when Variety published complaints from more than 30 program workers about working conditions during coronavirus confinement. They complained of poor internal communication and had been told to reduce wages during the initial period of the pandemic despite the program having hired new staff to launch the confined version of the space, which broadcasts from the house the presenter to Los Angeles. Days later came the unfortunate comment of DeGeneres herself, who, from her mansion in California, claimed to feel “in prison” during quarantine for the pandemic.
In mid-July, the matter took a step further. The portal BuzzFeed made public the complaints of 10 extrabajadores and a current employee in which they spoke of a racist, toxic and intimidating work environment. Some said they were fired for taking a medical leave or going to a funeral. An African-American said that one of the writers of the program had even said: “I’m sorry, I only know the names of the whites who work here.” WarnerMedia, the media conglomerate it produces The Ellen DeGeneres Show, then began an internal investigation, at the same time that the presenter herself – who until then had remained silent – published a letter apologizing to the employees of its famous program in which shortly after the dismissal of three of its producers is announced .
Although the renewal of the format was in question, finally the show premiered in September new season with DeGeneres singing the my fault. “As many of you have heard, this summer our program was accused of being a place where the toxic work environment was encouraged. As soon as he found out, an investigation began. And since then he learned that things have happened here that we should never have happened. I am taking this matter very seriously and I want to apologize most sincerely to all the people who have been affected by this, “she said, visibly dismayed.
Despite all that has happened and the number of detractors that the presenter produced in the midst of the pandemic, the program of Ellen DeGeneres, broadcast since 2003 and which has 171 Emmy nominations, remains one of the most successful spaces of American television. . About two and a half million people tune in every day, mostly women between the ages of 25 and 54.
In addition to being the queen of kindness on the quintessential American small screen, Ellen DeGeneres is an icon of the LGTBI community. The presenter, who for two decades has shared her life with the actress Portia de Rossi, known for the series Ally McBeal, came out of the closet 23 years ago. And also for a double game. Creator and protagonist then of a comedy that took its name, Ellen, after many successful seasons decided to reveal to viewers that the character was a lesbian. And it did so by overcoming the reluctance of ABC producers. The actress won that war because at the same time she appeared on the cover of the magazine Time announcing: “Yes, I’m gay.” A condition in which he wanted to be confirmed on the television couch of his friend Oprah Winfrey. He had not gone back. And it has not gone wrong: throughout her career, the charismatic comedian and presenter has amassed a fortune of 330 million dollars (more than 305 million euros) and in 2019, which is the second highest paid presenter of American television signed a contract to continue the program until 2022.
For now, he has said goodbye to a 2020 from which he would surely like to erase many things and looks to 2021 isolated from his big mansion in Los Angeles, trying to spend these last few weeks without major complications due to his covid contagion.