For someone who built a career around the motto “Be Kind,” Ellen DeGeneres sure keeps finding herself at the center of stories that paint a very different picture.
The latest to chime in? Veteran comedian Margaret Cho, who didn’t hold back during a recent interview when asked about her long history with the former talk show queen.
Margaret Cho Calls Out Ellen’s Cold Behavior
Appearing on The Kelly Mantle Show, Margaret Cho got candid about her rocky dynamic with Ellen.
According to her, things were awkward — and kind of hurtful — from the very beginning.
“Ellen was really weird and not nice to me for most of my career,” Margaret, now 56, said bluntly.
The two go way back to the comedy club circuit of the 1980s.
Margaret says she opened for Ellen before the TV fame, before the awards, before the spotlight.
“B****, What?” – Cho on Ellen Pretending Not to Know Her
What really rubbed Margaret the wrong way? Years later, when she appeared on Ellen’s daytime talk show in the 2000s, Ellen acted like they’d never met.
“We go way back,” Cho said. “But she acted like we just met.
I’m like, ‘B****, what?’ That’s weird. Creepy and weird.”
It was a strange moment for Margaret, especially given their shared roots in stand-up.
When David Bowie Was Edited Out… and Cho Was Furious
Margaret also shared a story involving none other than David Bowie — and a segment that never saw the light of day.
According to her, Bowie was ecstatic about a dramatic costume she wore to one of his concerts.
He even raved about it when he appeared on Ellen’s show.
“He talked at length about it,” Margaret said.
“But she cut it out of the show. That made me so mad.”
Even her friend — a producer on the show — was stunned.
Margaret said they called her afterward to explain what happened and assure her that Bowie had truly been enthusiastic. Still, the clip was left on the cutting room floor.
Was It Personal? Cho Thinks So — Kind Of
Cho admitted she couldn’t say for sure whether the edit was personal or just due to time constraints, but she couldn’t help feeling slighted.
“I’m gonna take it personally, just ‘cause I decided to,” she said with a mix of humor and frustration.
Ellen’s Quiet Life Post-Cancellation
After her talk show came to an end in 2022 amid allegations of a toxic work environment, Ellen stepped away from the spotlight.
She and wife Portia de Rossi have mostly lived quietly in Montecito, California — a star-studded neighborhood that includes the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Ellen’s Comeback: “For Your Approval”
But last year, Ellen attempted to make a return with a stand-up tour cheekily titled Ellen’s Last Stand…Up, which Netflix turned into a special called For Your Approval.
During promotions, she didn’t shy away from the controversy.
“I was kicked out of show business for being mean,” she told Rolling Stone.
Ellen Reflects on the Backlash
She remembered the intense public backlash and how the media painted her.
“‘The “be kind” girl wasn’t kind.’ That was the headline,” she said.
Ellen joked about it on stage, quipping, “Would a mean person dance up steps?” She added, “Had I ended my show by saying: ‘Go f*** yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
Admitting Leadership Wasn’t Her Strength
Ellen also took some accountability, saying she didn’t really know how to be a boss.
“The show was called Ellen, and there were T-shirts and buildings that said ‘Ellen,’ but I don’t know if that meant I should be in charge.”
She even poked fun at her origins: “I learned my profession at Charlie’s Chuckle Hut, not business school.”
What Comes Next for Ellen?
So far, there’s been no response from Ellen’s team regarding Margaret Cho’s comments.
But as more behind-the-scenes stories surface, it’s clear that Ellen’s legacy as the “Queen of Nice” is one that continues to be challenged — and not just by her critics, but by fellow comedians who were once her peers.