rosie O’Donnell Reflects on Decades-Old Rift with Ellen DeGeneres
Rosie O’Donnell recently opened up about a deeply personal and painful experience involving Ellen DeGeneres, revealing a decades-long strain in their relationship. The conversation stemmed from a seemingly innocuous question about what happened to O’DonnellS former talk show. It unearthed a moment that continues to resonate with O’Donnell years later.
During an interview, O’Donnell recounted a conversation where someone asked about the fate of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” She then mimicked DeGeneres’ response, stating degeneres simply saeid, “I don’t know rosie. We’re not friends.”
This reply, according to O’Donnell, was profoundly upsetting. She expressed that it was ”one of the most painful things that ever happened to me in show business.”
O’Donnell was particularly stunned considering their history. She shared that they had known each other for 30 years and she even has photos of DeGeneres holding her newborn children. The hurt prompted her to create t-shirts for her staff emblazoned with DeGeneres’ quote.
The lack of reconciliation has lingered. O’Donnell stated, “It was very painful and, you know, we’ve never sort of gotten over it.”
Interestingly, when ”The Ellen DeGeneres Show” debuted in 2003, it incorporated several members of the production team from “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” While O’Donnell acknowledged this, she didn’t place blame on DeGeneres for the staffing choices.
Though, she did express a sense of betrayal. O’Donnell felt DeGeneres prioritized her own success over supporting a colleague who had previously championed her. She explained that DeGeneres found herself in a similar position – launching a new show and seeking success - and chose a different path then O’Donnell would have expected.
O’Donnell emphasized a fundamental difference between herself and DeGeneres. She believes they are simply not alike in their core personalities.This isn’t the first time O’donnell has publicly addressed her feelings toward DeGeneres. Previously, during the 2020 allegations of a toxic workplace surroundings surrounding “The ellen DeGeneres Show,” O’Donnell offered a nuanced viewpoint.She acknowledged the reports while also expressing compassion for DeGeneres. O’Donnell suggested DeGeneres might experience some degree of social awkwardness, and that this could contribute to the issues.
Ultimately, O’donnell’s recent comments highlight the complexities of relationships in the entertainment industry. They reveal the lasting impact of perceived slights and the difficulty of moving past deeply felt hurt, even after decades. It serves as a reminder that even public figures experience personal pain and navigate challenging interpersonal dynamics.
