Ellen DeGeneres' Brother Vance Defends Her Amid Toxic Workplace Allegations

Aug 07, 2020

The older brother of Ellen DeGeneres, Vance DeGeneres, 65, took to Twitter on Tuesday to defend his sister amid an investigation over allegations of racism, bullying, as well as fostering a 'toxic environment' behind the scenes of her hit talk show.

Ellen DeGeneres' brother is coming to her defense amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the workplace culture on her TV show. Vance DeGeneres, 65, called Ellen, 62, a "bright light in a dark world" and expressed frustration at the attacks against her in social media posts on Tuesday.

"If you think Ellen would knowingly allow bullying or racism on her show, you don’t know my sister," Vance wrote on Twitter Tuesday. "She has been and continues to be a bright light in a dark world. She’s one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. And one of the funniest."

According to People, the musician on Facebook said that his younger sister is being "viciously attacked," and said that the criticism she is facing is "all bulls***."

"Ok, I need to say something. My sister is being viciously attacked. And let me assure you - it is all bulls—," he wrote. "I put up a simple statement yesterday that said 'I stand by Ellen.' Only a handful of my Facebook 'friends' responded to it. If you don't support Ellen, then you don't support me, so please unfriend me."

"I'm sick and tired of my sister being attacked. She always has - and always will - stand against bullying of any kind," he continued. "She's a smart, strong woman who has made a positive difference in the world. And to my friends who did respond with support for Ellen and my family, thank you so much. It means a lot."

The saga began after a tweet by comedian Kevin Porter asking netizens to respond "with the most insane stories you’ve heard about Ellen being mean," went viral with many opening up with their own stories about DeGeneres and her show.

Variety reported that DeGeneres has sent an email to staffers to the show earlier this month. In the letter, DeGeneres states she is "disappointed" by BuzzFeed reports in which current and former staff members alleged they faced intimidation and racism.

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