In a candid discussion on The Kelly Mantle Show podcast, comedian Margaret Cho opened up about her long-standing, complicated relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, claiming that DeGeneres was “not nice” to her for much of her career.
Cho, 56, reflected on the difficulties she faced with the former talk show host, especially during their early interactions.
A “Mean Girl” Vibe
Cho described DeGeneres as “somebody that I’d known for such a long time” but also noted that DeGeneres had a reputation for being “mean.” Cho explained, “She was like a mean girl, kind of, but also she would be real nice.” However, Cho believes the public’s current perception of DeGeneres as “mean” is actually more accurate.
Cho attributed some of the tension to the fact that DeGeneres’ girlfriends and wives seemed to enjoy Cho’s company. “There’s a kind of woman [who] loves a female comic,” Cho added, indicating that DeGeneres may have felt threatened by the attention Cho received from her partners.
The Evolution of Their Relationship
Cho recalled opening for DeGeneres in the early days of her career, when DeGeneres was just beginning to gain fame. Cho said that during their later interactions, especially on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the 2000s, their relationship felt strained. “She acted like we just met,” Cho said.
“And I’m like, ‘B—-, what?’ That’s weird. We go way back.” This shift in behavior, according to Cho, left her feeling confused and alienated.
David Bowie Incident
One of the most significant grievances Cho shared was an incident involving David Bowie. Cho recalled attending one of his concerts in a giant Chinese emperor outfit, which caught the attention of Bowie. She alleged that Bowie spoke highly of her outfit on The Ellen DeGeneres Show during his appearance, but DeGeneres reportedly cut that part of the interview from the show.
Cho recounted the conversation with a producer, who, as a close friend of hers, informed her that Bowie had been “going on and on” about her outfit and how much he loved it. Cho felt deeply hurt by the decision to cut the segment, adding, “I’m gonna take it personally because I decided to.”
Cho didn’t speculate whether the omission was personal or merely due to time constraints, but she confessed that it still left a sour feeling, especially given her longstanding history with DeGeneres.
The End of DeGeneres’ Talk Show Era
DeGeneres, 67, ended her long-running talk show in May 2022, amid allegations of a toxic workplace environment. In her final Netflix special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval (set to be released in September 2024), DeGeneres touched on how the controversy had affected her mental health.
Following the end of her show, she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, relocated to the English countryside.
Margaret Cho’s candid remarks shed light on a side of Ellen DeGeneres’ career that many may not have been aware of. Cho’s feelings of betrayal and frustration with DeGeneres underscore the complexity of their relationship, which has spanned decades.
While Cho has moved on from the experience, her reflections suggest that DeGeneres’ actions may have left a lasting impact on her.
