Canceled or Coming Back? Where the Ellen DeGeneres Legacy Stands in 2025

Anshika Jain

30 Jun 2025 — 3 min read

Once daytime TV royalty, Ellen DeGeneres has kept a low profile since her cancellation. But is a comeback brewing in 2025?

[LOS ANGELES] – June 30, 2025

Once a household name and icon of kindness, Ellen DeGeneres has spent the last few years largely off the public radar. After her hit talk show ended in 2022 following multiple allegations of workplace toxicity, DeGeneres retreated from public life, making only occasional appearances. Now, in mid-2025, fans and critics alike are asking: is Ellen staging a comeback?

A Fall from Grace: The Cancelation Timeline

Ellen's show was once a beacon of celebrity interviews, giveaways, and inspirational stories. But in 2020, BuzzFeed published a bombshell exposé citing claims of racism, fear-based management, and harassment on set. The show limped on for two more years but ended in 2022 amid plummeting ratings.

“I am a kind person. But I am also a boss,” Ellen said in her final episode, offering a layered goodbye.

In 2023 and 2024, she released a nature documentary and launched a limited podcast, but kept largely silent about the controversy.

Ellen DeGeneres looking serious, wearing a dark blazer and shirt. — Ellen DeGeneres during a public appearance amid controversies surrounding her show.

2025: Rumblings of a Return

Google Trends shows a significant spike in searches for "Ellen comeback" in May 2025, following rumors of a new stand-up special in partnership with Netflix.

“She’s ready to speak on her own terms,” an anonymous Netflix exec reportedly told Deadline.

While no official press release has dropped, Archive.org preserved a now-deleted listing for an untitled Ellen project on Netflix's coming soon page.

Meanwhile, screenshots from Threads and X suggest Ellen fans are warming up to the idea:

"If Louis CK can return, why not Ellen? She didn't assault anyone, she was just a bad boss," wrote one user.

Ellen DeGeneres holding a microphone on stage with a headline overlay about her exit after toxic workplace claims. — Ellen DeGeneres performs during her Netflix stand-up special, which she confirmed will be her last.

Critics Remain Divided

Some critics argue that a comeback is unwarranted:

"Apologies don’t erase toxic environments," tweeted a former Ellen employee in June.

Others point to double standards:

"Plenty of male hosts have worse records and are still working. Ellen’s being held to a different standard," said pop culture writer Sienna Carter.

Legacy Check: What Remains?

Despite the backlash, Ellen's cultural legacy isn't entirely erased:

Her YouTube channel still garners millions of views
She has a children's book series still in print
"Be kind" merchandise continues to sell moderately online

According to Archive.org, a 2024 Gallup poll ranked Ellen #12 in most trusted female celebrities—down from #3 in 2019, but still present.

So, Is the Public Ready?

In an age where cancel culture is slowly giving way to redemption arcs, Ellen’s story might not be over. If Netflix confirms the special and early reactions are positive, it could mark the start of a new chapter.