Ellen DeGeneres seemed to be making her big comeback, but now she might have changed her mind.

The comedian embarked on a stand-up tour, and while she had fun, she is now hinting at retirement.

She recently had to cancel several tour dates, giving no specific reason, and at a recent show, she said she’s not coming back to show business.

Ellen complained about getting canceled for being “mean” and defended herself against accusations that she mistreated her employees.

The controversy that led to her talk show being canceled still bothers her, and she said she would go away after this tour.

Ellen DeGeneres On Being ‘Canceled’

Ellen DeGeneres finally addressed the controversy that led to her being “canceled” and how she plans on retiring soon because of this. The comedian and former talk show host is upset about the way things ended for her show and joked about it during her ongoing comedy tour.

“Let me catch you up on what’s been going on with me since you last saw me,” she started her routine. “I got chickens. Oh yeah, and I got kicked out of show business for being mean.”

Despite joking about it, Ellen admitted that she was deeply affected by the comments about her.

“I used to say, ‘I don’t care what people say about me.’ Now I realize I said that during the height of my popularity.”

She also hinted at the time she almost lost her career for coming out on television, saying “Next time, I’ll be kicked out for being old. Old, gay and mean, the triple crown.”

Ellen wasn’t only joking, though. She also defended herself from the accusations of hostile behavior.

“I can be demanding and impatient and tough. I am a strong woman. I am many things, but I am not mean,” she complained.

Lastly, she referred to the future of her career, and said she would never return to show business after what happened.

“This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.”

The Controversy Surrounding Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show was canceled after a scandal broke in which former employees accused her of creating an unhealthy and toxic work environment. It was first reported by BuzzFeed News, with the employees sharing their experiences anonymously.

“That ‘be kind’ bullsh*t only happens when the cameras are on. It’s all for show,” one former employee said. “I know they give money to people and help them out, but it’s for show.”

Back in 2020, BuzzFeed News spoke to 10 former employees and one person who still worked there, and they all agreed with that statement. A lot of them claimed that they were fired for taking time off for medical reasons, while others said that the hostility towards them caused them to quit. They didn’t blame Ellen personally, but they claimed that her team mistreated them and she did nothing about it.

“If she wants to have her own show and have her name on the show title, she needs to be more involved to see what’s going on,” another person said. “I think the executive producers surround her and tell her, ‘Things are going great, everybody’s happy,’ and she just believes that, but it’s her responsibility to go beyond that.”