Ellen DeGeneres Says She Is 'Done' With Show Business Amid Canceled Shows

Ellen DeGeneres is ready to step out of the spotlight. During a recent tour stop, the beloved comedian surprised her audience by announcing her plans to leave show business permanently. 

This decision comes on the heels of her canceling multiple shows just a month into her tour. Previously, DeGeneres had expressed her dissatisfaction with how her talk show ended. 

After more than two decades in show business, Ellen DeGeneres is now determined to distance herself from entertainment.

California became the stage for a big announcement from the comedian this week. DeGeneres, who ended her long-running talk show two years ago, was performing a standup set in Santa Rosa as part of her "Ellen's Last Stand...Up" tour. 

While the tour's title hinted at a farewell, fans might not have realized just how final it would be. The 66-year-old used the opportunity to open up about life after her talk show.  

She spoke about the freeing feeling of no longer being defined by a brand but by herself as a whole person with various interests.  

However, when an audience member expressed hopes of seeing her on Broadway or in future films, DeGeneres surprised everyone with her response.  

According to the SFGate, she firmly stated that this tour and an upcoming Netflix special mark the end of her performing career. She emphatically stated:

"Um, no. This is the last time you're going to see me. After my Netflix special, I'm done."

The former talk show host refused to sugarcoat things for fans anymore, playfully shutting down a request to reprise her popular Dory voice role in a future Pixar movie. 

While there were whispers of a dark side during her talk show days, DeGeneres addressed them head-on during the California show. Before bidding farewell to her iconic talk show, the actress was embroiled in controversy and accused of various unflattering traits.

DeGeneres acknowledged the "rumors" that she was a difficult boss, even admitting to being "harsh" and "immature" at times. There was a hint of defiance, though, as she compared these criticisms to the way strong female leaders are often perceived.  

Despite the past controversies, the TV personality seemed to be finding solace in her return to stand-up. She expressed gratitude to the audience, a loyal crowd that cheered her on despite the recent negativity.

"Thank you for still caring!" DeGeneres said to the excited crowd before joking about being "kicked out of show business," referencing the allegations that led to her talk show's conclusion.

The name of DeGeneres' tour, suggesting it was a farewell, now raises questions amid the sudden cancellations.

The Blast reported that Ticketmaster recently sent out a wave of "event canceled" messages to those who purchased tickets for her upcoming shows in Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago.

The cancellations, impacting shows scheduled between July 10th and August 11th, has left fans in the dark as to the reason behind the sudden change.  

Ticketmaster's statement placed the blame squarely on DeGeneres' team, citing the "Event Organizer" as the source of the cancellations. The statement read:

"Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event. You don't need to do a thing. We'll issue a refund to the original method of payment used at the time of purchase as soon as funds are received from the Event Organizer."

While no explanation was offered, fans can expect a full refund "within 14-21 days," assuming the tickets were purchased directly through Ticketmaster.  

DeGeneres' farewell tour, "Ellen's Last Stand...Up," promised fans a final chance to see the comedy legend live.  

Adding to the excitement, the final two shows in Minneapolis were slated to be filmed for a Netflix comedy special, further solidifying the tour's "last stand" moniker.

The tour held even more significance as it marked DeGeneres' return to standup after her long-running talk show ended in 2022.  

Robbie Praw, Netflix's VP of Standup and Comedy Formats, underscored the significance of DeGeneres' return, labeling her as an icon and pioneer in the comedy world. 

"She is a true legend and pioneer in so many ways. We can't wait to bring fans another one of her hilarious comedy specials later this year," Praw commented.

Before she addressed leaving her own show on stage in California, DeGeneres had already provided insights into her departure back in April.

At the time, The Blast shared that DeGeneres addressed the accusations of a toxic work environment that plagued "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in its final years.

"What else can I tell you? Oh yeah, I got kicked out of show business. There's no mean people in show business," the writer quipped.