Comedian Ellen DeGeneres, known for her long-running talk show, has made a significant life change by deciding to relocate to the United Kingdom following Donald Trump's presidential election win.
This decision marks a shift for DeGeneres, who had been a vocal supporter of Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. DeGeneres highlighted her hopes for Harris to become the first female president of the United States, showing her political engagement and expectations for the election.
According to Newsweek, following Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential race, Ellen DeGeneres has confirmed her relocation to the U.K., aligning with a wave of celebrity discontent with the election results.
The election concluded on November 5, declaring Donald Trump the victor after a tightly contested campaign. This outcome has resonated differently across the nation, with various public figures expressing their reactions through potential moves or vocal criticism.
Before the election, DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, had bought property in the Cotswolds, a picturesque area roughly two hours from London. However, the decision to move was only solidified after the election results favored Trump. This timing suggests the political climate heavily influenced their decision to relocate.
DeGeneres and de Rossi have been prominent figures in Montecito, California, where they have resided for several years. Their plan to list their Montecito property follows their U.K. move, indicating a substantial shift in their personal and professional lives. Over the years, they have engaged in multiple real estate transactions, estimated at around $450 million, showcasing their acumen in this field.
The move to the U.K. does not merely represent a geographical change but also a response to recent challenges in DeGeneres’s career. She has faced significant negativity from the media, which criticized the working environment of her talk show, leading to her stepping away from the entertainment industry as highlighted in her recent Netflix special titled "For Your Approval".
In her Netflix special, DeGeneres discussed her reasons for returning to stand-up comedy, emphasizing her love for making people happy and caring about public opinion despite past controversies. Her comments reveal a desire to reconnect with her roots in comedy, contrasting with her time as a talk show host where she ended every show with the message, "Be kind to one another."
Her humor was evident when she remarked that a more cynical show sign-off might have led to lower expectations about her kindness. More seriously, she spoke about feeling ousted from show business for being "mean," "gay," and potentially for being "old," which she sarcastically called "the triple crown" of reasons one might be excluded from the industry.
The relocation appears as a new chapter for DeGeneres and de Rossi, who were recently seen in an Instagram video, seemingly settling into their U.K. life. The video, captioned by Lisa Hogan, showed a snippet of their new community engagements, mentioning an acoustic check by @thecorrsofficial at a local venue, highlighting their integration into the local culture.
The couple's move can be seen as a retreat from the harsh spotlight of American media to a quieter life in the English countryside, perhaps offering DeGeneres the peace she seeks after turbulent years in the public eye.
Their engagement in local activities, as depicted in social media posts, indicates an enthusiastic start to their life in the U.K., connecting with the community and its cultural aspects.
As DeGeneres adjusts to her new environment, the responses from her fans and the media will likely continue to evolve. Her move underscores a broader narrative about celebrities reconsidering their personal and professional lives following significant political events.
To conclude, Ellen DeGeneres's relocation to the U.K. resonates as a multifaceted decision influenced by political outcomes, personal reassessment, and ongoing professional transformation. This significant change marks a new phase for DeGeneres and de Rossi, both in terms of geography and in their engagement with public and private life.