Rosie O’Donnell Opens Up About Ellen DeGeneres’ ‘Painful’ Betrayal: ‘I Couldn’t Believe It’

Rosie O’Donnell recently opened up about her complicated relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, a topic that still resonates strongly even after two decades. On Kate Langbroek’s “No Filter” podcast, O’Donnell recalled the moment DeGeneres came out publicly on her show in 1997. At that time, O’Donnell was in the closet herself and found the event “very threatening.”

DeGeneres made headlines when her character in the sitcom “Ellen” came out on national television. O’Donnell, hosting her own talk show, wanted to support her friend. They discussed a playful moment where DeGeneres joked about her character becoming Lebanese. O’Donnell went along, saying she could be “Lebanese” because she admired Casey Kasem. This subtle exchange was a coded message that only those in the LGBTQ+ community could fully understand.

O’Donnell felt a strong sense of duty to stand by DeGeneres, despite the personal risk. “It felt very threatening,” she admitted, noting that she was experiencing significant success at the time. Their bond started to fade after DeGeneres appeared on “Larry King Live” and said, “I don’t know Rosie. We’re not friends.” O’Donnell later described this as one of her most painful moments in show business, especially after being so close for so many years.

Despite their past, O’Donnell doesn’t hold a grudge against DeGeneres. She acknowledges the competitive nature of the industry but wishes her former friend had been more supportive when she needed it. “Instead of deciding to stand next to me, she did the opposite. I couldn’t believe it,” O’Donnell said. Their friendship has remained estranged, with O’Donnell noting that DeGeneres never reached out to explain.

It’s worth considering how far LGBTQ+ representation has come since the late ’90s. In 1997, DeGeneres’s coming out was groundbreaking and risky; today, many celebrities openly share their identities. According to GLAAD’s 2023 report, 20% of characters on broadcast television now identify as LGBTQ+. This increase reflects a significant societal shift toward acceptance, though challenges remain.

As for DeGeneres, her own show, which ran from 2003 to 2022, faced scrutiny in its final seasons over allegations of a toxic workplace. In a response to the allegations, she acknowledged needing personal growth and change, saying, “I’m a work in progress.” Both women have since moved on to different stages in their lives, but the emotional weight of their past continues to linger.

As they navigate their paths post-fame—O’Donnell relocating to Ireland for personal reasons and DeGeneres living in the UK—they both reflect on how their choices have shaped their journeys. O’Donnell expressed compassion for DeGeneres while also recognizing the complexities of their shared history.

This deep-seated friendship and its fallout remind us that even in a world that champions authenticity, relationships can be fraught with tension, competition, and misunderstandings. The evolution of their bond highlights not only personal dynamics but also cultural shifts in how we view LGBTQ+ identities in the public eye.

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Entertainment,Celebrities,celebrity friendships,ellen degeneres,rosie o'donnell