Ellen DeGeneres sparked controversy with her treatment of ‘Bachelorette’ star Ali Fedotowsky on the now-defunct “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” During a recent episode of the “Off the Vine” podcast hosted by Kaitlyn Bristowe, Fedotowsky reflected on her encounter with the beloved comedian, stating that she felt “stupid” after their interaction.
At 40 years old, Fedotowsky made a name for herself as a contestant on “The Bachelorette” back in 2010. She recounted the experience to Bristowe, who noted the common complaints about DeGeneres. Fedotowsky said, “It’s not that she was necessarily mean, but she made me feel stupid.”
The reality star elaborated, “Instead of laughing with me, it felt like she was laughing at me. I just felt really stupid.” Fedotowsky had been excited about her appearance on the show but later remarked that DeGeneres might have been tired of dealing with guests who lacked substance. “She’s talking to crafted people, and then here comes this 24-year-old who is famous for no reason. I could see her thinking, ‘I have to talk to one of these people again?’”
Although Fedotowsky has since changed her last name to Manno after marrying Kevin Manno in 2017, the memory of her time on the show remains vivid. She attempted to be humorous and engaging during the segment but felt dismissed. “Instead of her laughing with me, it felt like she was laughing at me. I just felt really stupid,” she reiterated.
The appearance was in May 2010, just before her season of “The Bachelorette” premiered. During the show, DeGeneres questioned Fedotowsky’s giddy demeanor, asking if she was “drunk,” which only added to the awkwardness.
Bristowe, who also starred on “The Bachelorette” in 2015, expressed sympathy for Fedotowsky, admitting her respect for DeGeneres has waned since hearing about the show’s toxic workplace issues. “I always said that if I went on ‘The Bachelorette,’ it was because I wanted to meet Ellen DeGeneres,” she noted in light of the controversies surrounding the former talk show host.
In 2022, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” concluded after a lengthy run amid allegations of fostering a toxic work environment, which resulted in firings of some top producers. Employees detailed an atmosphere riddled with intimidation and fear, with claims that DeGeneres demanded no eye contact from staff during production.
While Ellen has stepped back from the public eye, she reportedly plans a return with a Netflix special and subsequent comedy tour titled “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up.” Sources close to her suggest that she needed time to regroup but misses the stage and is eager to perform again.
