Ellen DeGeneres is facing renewed backlash over a resurfaced interview with Céline Dion in which the talk show host made fun of the appearance of the Canadian singer’s son.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended after nineteen seasons in 2022, following allegations of a toxic work environment.
In light of these accusations, a number of her past interviews have been reexamined, with netizens highlighting questions they deemed inappropriate or uncomfortable for guests.
- A 2007 Ellen interview resurfaced where she mocked Céline Dion’s son’s long hair.
- Ellen’s interviews began to be reexamined amid accusations of a toxic work environment.
- The comedian has since relocated to the UK and retired from show business.
In 2007, Céline appeared on the show and was asked about her then-six-year-old son, René-Charles, whom she shared with her manager, René Angélil.
Céline Dion and Ellen DeGeneres on the Ellen show set, fans reacting to a controversial interview moment.
A resurfaced Céline Dion interview onThe Ellen Showhas reignited backlash against the talk show host
“It seems like you’re busy with something, ’cause you’re forgetting to cut your son’s hair,” Ellen told Céline.
“Do you have a problem with that?” the songstress asked.
Ellen DeGeneres speaking during a talk show interview, with plants and flowers in the background.
Ellen said she didn’t have a problem with the child having long hair, but then remarked, “That is some long hair!”
Céline explained that her son had chosen to keep his hair long, so she wouldn’t cut it until he decided otherwise.
“Whatever I will do, I won’t please everyone… Do you know that René-Charles makes his own decisions? When he’s ready, I’ll cut it.”
Céline sat down for the interview in 2007 and was asked about her six-year-old son’s long hair
Céline Dion appearing surprised during a televised interview on the Ellen DeGeneres show set with plants in the background
Though the host quickly changed the topic, the moment remained online and went viral nearly 20 years later, with users accusing Ellen of asking “rude, invasive questions masked under humor,” contradicting the positive messages she regularly promoted about kindness and generosity.
Photo of Céline Dion with her husband and daughter, featured in a segment about Ellen DeGeneres interview controversy.
Another resurfaced interview that was analyzed in a different light was Mariah Carey’s 2008 appearance on the show.
Ellen pressured Mariah to confirm or deny rumors that she was expecting a child with her then-husband, Nick Cannon.
The Hero singer laughed off the question and attempted to change the subject, but the comedian challenged her to drink a glass of champagne to prove whether or not she was pregnant.
After Ellen made fun of Céline son’s hair, the singer explained that he “makes his own decisions”
Céline Dion and Ellen DeGeneres in a TV interview setting with family photo displayed on screen behind them.
Alt text: Social media comment reacting to Ellen DeGeneres interview, sparking Céline Dion fans’ anger online discussion.
Comment by Agnes Hendry expressing distrust toward Ellen, fueling Céline Dion fans’ frustration over a rude Ellen DeGeneres interview.
“This is peer pressure,” Mariah said. When she faked taking a sip, the host shouted, “You’re pregnant!”
Two years after the interview, the Grammy winner revealed that she was pregnant at the time but miscarried soon after.
Mariah told Vulture in 2020 that the moment made her feel “extremely uncomfortable” and that she later “had a hard time grappling with the aftermath.”
The Heartbreaker songstress went on to say that she wished “empathy” had been “implemented” during the interview. “But what am I supposed to do?” she added. “It’s like, ‘What are you going to do?’”
Céline welcomed three sons with her late husband, René Angélil
Céline Dion with family outdoors during holiday season, surrounded by festive decorations and red bows.
In 2019, Ellen called out Dakota Johnson for supposedly leaving her off the invite list to her star-studded 30th birthday party. “How was the party? I wasn’t invited,” she complained. The Fifty Shades of Grey actress firmly corrected the host, pointing out that that was “not the truth.”
“Last time I was on the show last year, you gave me a bunch of s**t about not inviting you, but I didn’t even know you wanted to be invited…I didn’t even know you liked me!”
Mariah Carey was forced to prematurely reveal her pregnancy on the show and suffered a miscarriage shortly after
Ellen DeGeneres pouring a drink while interviewing Mariah Carey during a daytime talk show segment indoors.
Ellen insisted that she hadn’t been on the guest list, asking Dakota if she was “sure” she had sent the invitation.
“Ask everybody,” the actress replied. “Ask Jonathon, your producer. But I did invite you, and you didn’t come.”
Ellen ultimately admitted that her guest was right, saying, “I was invited? Why didn’t I go? Oh yeah, I had that thing! It was probably in Malibu, that’s too far for me to go to. I think I do remember I was invited – thank you!”
A year after that interview, Buzzfeed published a report in which eleven employees of the show alleged a “toxic work environment” behind the scenes.
The claims included instances of racial microaggressions, being penalized for taking medical leave, and fear of retaliation for raising complaints.
Dakota Johnson firmly corrected Ellen after the host accused her of not inviting her to her birthday party
Woman in black and red checkered outfit sitting on white chair with festive Christmas tree in the background discussing Céline Dion fans and Ellen interview.
Following the publication, three top producers were fired, and Warner Media launched an internal investigation into the show.
Ellen apologized to her staff, saying she was “glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention” and that she and Warner Bros. were “taking steps…to correct” them.
“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again,” the 67-year-old stated.
that one time Céline about threw bones with ellen degeneres for talking about her son. celine is so nice but the pause and tone change said everything 💀 most of the audience was even “ohh” instead of laughing: https://t.co/9nBYlo5D7n pic.twitter.com/tFoXW1DFyF — ͠ϙ͠ᴜ͠ᴇ͠ᴇ͠ɴ͠ᴅ͠ᴏ͠ᴍ (@dioniclamb) April 17, 2024
Explaining her decision to end the show months after the accusations , Ellen said her work didn’t “challenge” her anymore.
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