Kevin Hart, Katy Perry and others defend Ellen DeGeneres amid toxic workplace controversy

DeGeneres has been accused of creating and enabling the toxic environment on the show’s sets.

Hart took to Instagram and posted a photo from his past visit to the show, saying that DeGeneres always treated him and his family with the utmost respect.

“It’s crazy to see my friend go thru what she’s going thru publicly. I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she’s one of the dopest people on the f***ing planet. She has treated my family and my team with love and respect from day one (sic),” the actor said.

He called social media as a “crazy world of negativity” and said he stands by DeGeneres.

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A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real)

“This hate s**t has to stop. Hopefully it goes out of style soon…. This post is not meant to disregard the feelings of others and their experiences… It’s simply to show what my experiences have been with my friend. Love you for life Ellen…” Hart added.

Perry also spoke about her positive experiences with the host.

“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.

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. I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) August 4, 2020

2/2 to the world through her platform for decades. Sending you love & a hug, friend @TheEllenShow ♥️

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) August 4, 2020

“I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought to the world through her platform for decades. Sending you love & a hug, friend @TheEllenShow,” Perry tweeted on Tuesday.

Also read | Criticism of Ellen DeGeneres mounts, Portia de Rossi speaks out

Veteran actor Diane Keaton and That 70’s show alum Ashton Kutcher have also come out in defence of DeGeneres.

Keaton said on Instagram that she always “enjoyed” her visits to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

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Also Read | The Ellen DeGeneres Show to face internal investigation for workplace misconduct

“I always enjoyed my visits to the Ellen show. I’ve seen how the audience exudes happiness and gratitude. She gives back to so many including me,” the actor said.

Kutcher shared his own experience on the show and said that DeGeneres always treated him with “kindness”.

“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,” he tweeted.

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.

— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) August 5, 2020

Last week, DeGeneres penned a letter to the show’s staff, tendering an apology. She said that the show was envisioned as a “place of happiness” but that is not the case currently.

The TV show host promised that she will “do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow”.

Also Read | Ellen DeGeneres apologises to show’s staff amid workplace inquiry

The allegations detailed in Buzzfeed report mainly centred upon the head writer and executive producer Keith Leman, who has been accused of groping and propositioning male staff members.

Others allege they were inappropriately touched by producer Ed Glavin, who is reportedly parting ways with The Ellen Show.

In the wake of the report, Warner Bros’ parent company WarnerMedia initiated an “internal investigation”.