Ellen DeGeneres’ brother Vance defends the embattled talk show host amid her toxic workplace scandal

‘My sister is being viciously attacked’:

Ellen DeGeneres’ brother has defended the embattled host, who is currently facing an investigation over allegations of racism, bullying, as well as fostering a ‘toxic environment’ behind the scenes of her hit talk show.

Vance DeGeneres, 65, said that Ellen, 62, is being ‘viciously attacked’ amid her toxic workplace scandal, which he decried as being ‘all bulls***.’ 

‘If you think Ellen would knowingly allow bullying or racism on her show, you don’t know my sister,’ Vance said in a statement on Tuesday via Twitter. 

‘My sister is being viciously attacked’: Ellen DeGeneres’ brother Vance defends the embattled talk show host amid toxic workplace scandal

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The actor and musician added: ‘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.’

Meanwhile, Vance made further comments on his official Facebook account, saying that Ellen is being ‘viciously attacked’ and that the accusations she is facing are ‘all bulls***.’

‘Ok, I need to say something. My sister is being viciously attacked. And let me assure you – it is all bulls—,’ Vance wrote in his Facebook post.

Loyal sibling: Her brother Vance DeGeneres defended her, tweeting: ‘If you think Ellen would knowingly allow bullying or racism on her show, you don’t know my sister’

Not done: Vance also posted a separate outpouring on his Facebook account 

By her side: Ellen and Vance are pictured together at the 1995 Golden Globe Awards

‘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.’

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Vance added: ‘I’m sick and tired of my sister being attacked. She always has – and always will – stand against bullying of any kind. 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.’

Vance – who worked as a writer on ‘Ellen’ between 1996-1997 – is the latest star to speak in support of the host under pressure, joining the likes of Katy Perry, Diane Keaton, and model Tyrese Gibson. 

Support: Tyrese Gibson is the latest star to support Ellen after posting this lengthy message on Instagram, although he admitted to not knowing the star all that well 

Her stance: Katy Perry has also insisted that she had ‘only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen and on the show’ in an impassioned statement

‘Sending you love & a hug, friend’: Katy Perry has thrown her support behind her industry friend Ellen DeGeneres amid her workplace scandal (pictured on her talk show in 2017)

Showing support: Actress Diane Keaton has also supported DeGeneres by saying, ‘I always enjoyed my visits to The Ellen Show… She gives back to so many including me.’

On Wednesday, Tyrese took to his Instagram to share a lengthy message praising Ellen, though admitted that he did not know her that well saying: ‘I am not one of the lucky ones who have hung with you 40 to 50 times over the years… But I know a kind hearted and giving person when I see one and you fit the bill.’

Yesterday, Kevin Hart, 41, said: ‘It’s crazy to see my friend go thru what she’s going thru publicly,’ adding: ‘I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she’s one of the dopest people on the f*****g planet.’

Meanwhile Katy Perry, 35, took to Twitter to praise the broadcaster’s ‘continual fight for equality’ and insisted she had ‘only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen and on the show’. 

‘Love you for life’: Kevin Hart joins the slim line of stars sticking up for embattled talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres in a gushing Instagram post on Tuesday

Ashton says: Ashton Kutcher also chimed in, stating on Twitter, ‘I haven’t spoken with @TheEllenShow and can only speak from my own experience. She & her team have only treated me & my team w/ respect & kindness. She never pandered to celebrity which I always saw as a refreshing honesty. When things aren’t right she handles it and fixes’

The pregnant singer wrote: ‘1/2 I know I can’t speak for anyone else’s experience besides my own but I want to acknowledge that I have only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen & on the @theellenshow.’

The Firework hitmaker added: ‘I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought 2/2 to the world through her platform for decades. 

‘Sending you love & a hug, friend @TheEllenShow.’ (sic)

Kindness counts: The Arrested Development star who has been married to Ellen for 12 years, shared a graphic that read ‘I stand by Ellen’ on social media

Music manager Scooter Braun was one of the first celebs to speak out last week, saying on Instagram that Ellen is a ‘king, thoughtful, courageous human being who stands for what is right and highlights on her show the best of us.’

Scooter’s acts Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande have made regular appearances on the show.  

Diane Keaton also supported DeGeneres by saying, ‘I always enjoyed my visits to The Ellen Show… She gives back to so many including me.’

Actor Jerry O’Connell posted on his Instagram Monday: ‘Love Ellen and Portia,’ adding: ‘Always have. Always will.’

Earlier in the week, DeGeneres’s wife Portia de Rossi broke silence on the scandal as she thanked fans for ‘standing’ with the TV icon.

Candid: The British artist, 42, wrote: ‘Unpopular opinion: I’ve worked for @TheEllenShow as a dj, for her parties, for years and she has ALWAYS been respectful and kind to me.’ (sic)

‘It’s disappointing’: Sam responded to social media users who noted the way Ellen treated her was not reflective of the way she behaved toward those of a lower profile 

The Arrested Development actress, 47, shared a graphic that read ‘I stand by Ellen’ on social media, alongside the caption: ‘To all our fans….we see you. Thank you for your support.’

Her hashtags continued to send a message, reading: ‘#stopbotattacks, #IStandWithEllenDeGeneres, #IStandByEllen, and #IstandByEllenDeGeneres.’ (sic)

de Rossi, who has been married to DeGeneres for 12 years, also added ‘#bekindtooneanother,’ which is how DeGeneres closes every episode of her show. 

DJ Samantha Ronson has also publicly stuck up for the embattled star as she took to Twitter on Monday.

She wrote: ‘Unpopular opinion: I’ve worked for @TheEllenShow as a dj, for her parties, for years and she has ALWAYS been respectful and kind to me.’ (sic)

The British artist, 42, responded to social media users who noted the way DeGeneres treated her – a member of the famous Ronson family – was not reflective of the way she behaved toward those of a lower profile.

‘I knew this was coming, but you’d be surprised by how many people are super rude when you become someone they are writing a cheque to,’ she said. ‘It’s super disappointing.’

Ashton Kutcher also chimed in, stating on Twitter, ‘I haven’t spoken with @TheEllenShow and can only speak from my own experience. She & her team have only treated me & my team w/ respect & kindness. She never pandered to celebrity which I always saw as a refreshing honesty. When things aren’t right she handles it and fixes.’ 

Late last month, Ellen wrote a substantial memo to her employees, saying that she and Warner Bros. are ‘taking steps, together, to correct the issues.’  

One current and ten former employees of the daytime chat show accused its three executive producers, Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner, of ‘bullying.’ 

The executive producers issued a statement saying: ‘We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience.’  

Lassner also tweeted: ‘Nobody is going off the air.’ 

Jonathan Norman, a co-executive producer, is alleged to have ‘groomed’ a former employee by taking him to concerts and showering him with other gifts and perks before attempting to perform oral sex on him.

Kevin Leman, the show’s head writer and executive producer, is alleged to have solicited oral sex from an employee. Others say they witnessed Leman grope another colleague.

And Ed, an executive producer, allegedly ‘had a reputation for being handsy with women,’ according to former employees. 

Leman and Norman have denied all allegations. Glavin has not addressed the claim publicly yet but is stepping down from his position, according to Variety.

Warner Bros., the studio that runs the show, has declined to comment on the sexual harassment allegations, citing an ongoing internal investigation. 

Ellen said she was ‘taking steps… to correct’ issues with her employees in the staff-wide memo from last week.

‘On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry,’ Ellen said in the memo. 

‘As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t,’ she added. ‘That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.’ 

But multiple staff members at the show tell DailyMail.com they are not buying Ellen’s apology and are calling on her to call it quits. 

Ellen DeGeneres’ memo to her staff addressing mistreatment allegations

Hey everybody — it’s Ellen. On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen Degeneres Show would be a place of happiness — no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.

I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.

I’m also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop. As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or — worse — disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me. It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice. 

We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It’s important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so.

I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I’m so sorry to anyone who didn’t have that experience. If not for COVID, I’d have done this in person, and I can’t wait to be back on our stage and see you all then. Stay safe and healthy. 

Love, Ellen