Former Employees Criticize Ellen DeGeneres’ Netflix Special ‘For Your Approval’

Ellen DeGeneres‘ latest Netflix special, “For Your Approval,” has sparked controversy, with some former employees of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” criticizing the comedian for seemingly ignoring past allegations of a toxic work environment. DeGeneres, now 66, has stated the special dives into her experiences and challenges, while former staff have claimed it downplays the more serious allegations against her and the show.

In the special, filmed at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theater, DeGeneres reflects on her career and notes her desire to be remembered as “beloved” rather than “mean.” The special reportedly seeks to reframe the narrative around her career, particularly after the show concluded in 2022 following several controversies. However, some staff members, who spoke anonymously to Rolling Stone, argue that DeGeneres fails to take responsibility for the allegedly negative work culture that marked the show’s end.

“There’s a difference between your persona and the way that you were handled in the media versus the culture that you perpetuated,” one former employee told Rolling Stone. This comment highlights the perceived disconnect between DeGeneres’ public image and alleged experiences of those who worked closely with her.

“For Your Approval,” which started streaming on September 24, revisits DeGeneres’ career milestones through a montage of clips, including her rise to fame and challenges faced as an openly gay woman in the entertainment industry. She also addresses a social media campaign that accused her of mean behavior, which she believes led to a public backlash and the end of her show. Despite her claims in the special, some employees feel that DeGeneres is attempting to garner sympathy without adequately addressing past controversies.

Former show employees express their disappointment, noting that DeGeneres, ironically, discussed her supposed expulsion from show business on a platform as wide-reaching as Netflix. “She made millions of dollars doing a Netflix special talking about how she got canceled,” a former staffer mentioned, emphasizing this contradiction.

While DeGeneres presented the special as a reflection on her career and the challenges she faced, critics argue that it serves more as damage control rather than a genuine reckoning with the past. Those tensions continue to surface as former employees weigh in on what they see as an attempt to revise history, without addressing the serious allegations that brought about the show’s conclusion.