Ellen DeGeneres Reveals Why She Left the U.S. for the UK

Ellen DeGeneres made headlines during her latest appearance in Cheltenham, UK, revealing that she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to England the day after Trump's re-election. Discussing their life in the Cotswolds, Ellen expressed how she finds the UK a more welcoming environment and addressed her past experiences in Hollywood regarding LGBTQ issues and workplace accusations.

Ellen DeGeneres has opened up about her decision to move from the U.S. to the UK in a recent public appearance at the Everyman theatre in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The comedian and former talk show host stated that the day after Donald Trump’s re-election in 2020 marked a turning point for her and wife Portia de Rossi. "We’re staying here," she affirmed when discussing their initial plans of spending just a few months per year in England after buying a home in the picturesque Cotswolds.

Ellen recalls waking up to a flood of texts from friends expressing their distress at Trump's victory, leading her and Portia to fully commit to their new life abroad. Celebrating the charm of village life in the rural UK, she mentioned the beauty of the landscapes and the politeness of the people. "Everything here is just better... it’s simply a more compassionate way of life," she said, noting her recent experiences with farm animals—though she humorously shared that she no longer owns sheep after they escaped too frequently.

Addressing her past in Hollywood, Ellen reflected on the challenges she faced as a gay woman in the industry, particularly after coming out in 1997. While she noted some advancements in LGBTQ acceptance, Ellen recognized that fear still grips many actors that remain in the closet. She cited recent movements by groups like the Southern Baptist Convention to reverse same-sex marriage rights as alarming, proposing that she and Portia might remarry in the UK should these laws regress in the U.S.

Ellen also touched upon the controversy surrounding her previous workplace culture, responding to allegations of toxicity during her talk show years. She advised that while her directness can be misconstrued as mean, her intent has always been genuine. Responding directly to the critics, she emphasized her desire to be seen as compassionate rather than harsh.

Future endeavors for Ellen remain unclear, though she expressed dreams of perhaps starting a British talk show, albeit with reservations about the current state of television viewing habits. As she reflects on her journey, Ellen remains optimistic but cautious about her next steps, savoring her time in rural England while looking for new opportunities that inspire her creativity.