Margaret Cho Opens Up About Strained Relationship with Ellen DeGeneres: A Closer Look at Their Complicated History
Margaret Cho recently shared her experience of a strained relationship with Ellen DeGeneres on The Kelly Mantle Show. Cho revealed that despite their long history, DeGeneres always treated her like a stranger when she appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Cho mentioned feeling uncomfortable with DeGeneres' behavior, especially considering their past interactions in the comedy scene.
Cho recounted an incident where she wore an elaborate "Chinese emperor outfit" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which caught the attention of David Bowie. However, DeGeneres edited out Bowie's compliment about Cho's costume from the final broadcast. This action left Cho feeling hurt and unsure if it was intentional or not, but she took it personally nonetheless.
In 2020, DeGeneres faced backlash following reports of racism, sexual misconduct, and intimidation by executive producers on her show. This led to the firing of three producers and DeGeneres issuing an on-air apology. Singer Greyson Chance, who was signed to DeGeneres' label, also spoke out about her manipulative and self-centered behavior in a Rolling Stone interview. The Ellen DeGeneres Show ultimately ended in 2022 after 19 seasons.
DeGeneres addressed the controversy in her stand-up special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, acknowledging the discrepancy between her on-air persona and her real-life behavior. She reflected on the impact of her "Be Kind" message and how it contrasted with the negative reports about her conduct. The host admitted to the disconnect between her public image and her true self, highlighting the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the entertainment industry.