Ellen DeGeneres, a well-known personality in American entertainment, has moved to the UK. She recently said that the re-election of Donald Trump as US President played a role in her decision. This choice comes after her long-running talk show ended because of claims of a poisonous work environment. The comedian and TV star's new existence in the English countryside is a big change for her.
Donald Trump's Effect on Her Move: The Political Catalyst
At first, DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, planned to live in the UK part-time. But their plans changed on the day of the election. "We got here the day before the election and woke up to a lot of texts from friends with crying emojis. I thought, 'He got in,' and we said, 'We're staying here.'" This comment, given at a conversation event at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, verified prior allegations that she left the US for political reasons.
The Bigger Picture: Celebrities Leaving and Making Political Statements
DeGeneres isn't the only one who has decided to leave the US because she's unhappy with the politics. A lot of famous people have either moved or said they want to migrate overseas since the political situation changed. For example, Rosie O'Donnell said she was moving to Ireland in early 2025 because of the political situation. Eva Longoria also said she was leaving the US for Spain and Mexico because of a number of things, including the political atmosphere. This trend shows that some celebrities are increasingly looking for new homes in nations that they think are more in line with their ideals or that offer a different way of life.
Beyond the Headlines: Responding to the Claims of a "Toxic Workplace"
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 after a lot of criticism because of claims of a poisonous work environment. Former and current employees said anonymously that they had experienced racial microaggressions, fear of retaliation for complaints, and being punished for taking medical leave. These statements went against the show's motto of "be kind." The executive producers said they were in charge of the day-to-day operations and were sad about any bad encounters.
How to Deal with Public Opinion: The "Mean" Label
DeGeneres talked on the "mean" term that people started to associate with her public image. She said, "No matter what article came up, it was like, 'She's mean,' and I didn't want to sound like a victim or 'poor me' or complain about it." But I wanted to talk about it. She said that she was straight and frank, and that her way of talking might have been misunderstood. The controversy had a big effect on her. DeGeneres said it was "devastating" and that "it took a long time for me to want to do anything again." These charges had a lasting effect on her, which is why she decided to start over in a new place where her reputation might not be as affected by the scandals that plagued her last years in American entertainment.
Ellen's New Chapter in the English Countryside: Life Across the Pond
DeGeneres has been quite excited about her new home since she moved to the UK in November 2024. She and Portia de Rossi moved to the beautiful Cotswolds area, which is famed for its rolling hills and quaint villages. DeGeneres has said nice things about the UK, saying, "It's clean." People are nice and animals are treated better here. I really like it here.
A Close Look at Her Home and Life in the Cotswolds
The couple's original idea for a part-time home in the UK turned into a full-time move. They bought a farmhouse in the Cotswolds, and although though they had some problems like flooding, they have recently relocated to a newer home nearby to make room for Portia de Rossi's horses. DeGeneres has posted pictures on social media that give people a peek into her peaceful existence in the country, where she keeps hens and even sheep. This manner of life is very different from her famous Hollywood life, which was very busy. She is now living a simpler life.
Looking into LGBTQ+ rights and her activism in the UK
DeGeneres' decision was also influenced by worries about LGBTQ+ rights in the US, not just her own preferences. She talked about how groups like the Baptist Church in America are trying to stop gay marriage. DeGeneres replied, "The Baptist Church in America is trying to stop gay marriage." They want to stop it from happening in the future and maybe even turn it back. Portia and I are already looking into it, and if they do that, we'll get married here. This shows that she is still committed to action, even though she has moved.
A frank talk at the "Everyman Theatre" event
On July 20, 2025, DeGeneres made her first public performance in the UK at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. Richard Bacon, a broadcaster, hosted the event called "In Conversation with Ellen DeGeneres." The small size of the theater, which could hold 718 people, made it easy for her to talk about the changes in her life. As she talked frankly about her move, the reasons behind it, and her thoughts on her profession and public image, the audience got to see her signature wit and humor. The concert was part of a special tour of the UK, and tickets sold out rapidly.
Ellen's Future: Career Goals and Personal Thoughts
Even while she likes living in the country right now, DeGeneres said she was "a little bit bored" and is "very carefully" thinking about her next job move. She misses some parts of her old chat show, but she doesn't think the structure would work in today's media world. "I'd love to do that again, but I feel like people are watching on their phones or not paying as much attention to TVs as they used to because we have so much information and entertainment."
Possible New Businesses: Comedy, Business, and More
DeGeneres is back to doing stand-up comedy with her Netflix special Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, which came out in September 2024. She joked about getting "kicked out of show business" in this special. At first, she said this would be her last comedy show, but her latest comments show that she wants to do more. In addition to her work in Hollywood, DeGeneres started a skincare line called Kind Science in 2021 that focuses on "age-positive" goods. This business fits with her passion in animal welfare because the items don't hurt animals. In the future, she might do a mix of creative and business things, breaking away from the usual talk show structure.
Ellen DeGeneres's transfer to the UK is a big change for her personally and professionally, and it was influenced by political realities and the aftermath of public scrutiny. Her honesty regarding these causes gives us a glimpse into the stress that public personalities deal with. As she gets used to her new life in the Cotswolds, people are still curious about what she will do next. It's likely that she will continue to work in comedy and activism while also trying new things.