Ali Fedotowsky Makes Unfortunate Confession About Ellen DeGeneres

Ali Fedotowsky is sharing her experience with Ellen DeGeneres, revealing that her appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" left her feeling less than welcome.

During a recent episode of Kaitlyn Bristowe’s "Off the Vine" podcast, the former "Bachelorette" star opened up about her encounter with the talk show host. The 40-year-old admitted that her time on the now-canceled daytime show wasn’t the uplifting experience she had hoped for.

Fedotowsky made her appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in May 2010, coinciding with the premiere date of her season of "The Bachelorette."

The reality star explained that she had been “so excited” to appear on the show and had looked forward to meeting the iconic comedian. However, things did not go exactly as she expected.

"She made me feel pretty not great," Fedotowsky confessed to Bristowe on the podcast, who responded by noting how often she’s heard similar comments from others who have interacted with DeGeneres. Fedotowsky went on to clarify, "It’s not that she was mean, per se, she just made me feel stupid."

The former reality television star then said she was trying to be “funny and personable” during her appearance, “And instead of her laughing with me, she was laughing at me. I just felt really stupid.”

Despite her negative experience, Fedotowsky was quick to add that she doesn’t believe DeGeneres is a bad person. “I just think that sometimes when you do a job like that all day, every single day for years, you’re just kinda over it,” she continued. “And she’s talking to people who are crafted and then here’s this 24-year-old famous-for-no-reason comes on her show and she’s like, ‘I gotta talk to one of these idiots again?’”

Bristowe, who starred on "The Bachelorette" in 2015, never appeared on the talk show -- something she believes happened for a reason.

“I think the world protected me from ever going on her show because they say, ‘Don’t meet your heroes,’ and she was mine all the time. “But I think it would have been really disappointing for me and now I dislike her because of everything I heard from very reliable sources […] I don’t get treating people like s–t but I get being over it and I always said that if I went on ‘The Bachelorette’ for one reason, it was so I could meet Ellen DeGeneres."

For years, DeGeneres was celebrated as one of television's most beloved figures. Known for her infectious humor, generosity, and signature sign-off, "Be kind to one another," Ellen became a symbol of warmth and positivity. However, in 2020, her carefully crafted public image began to crumble under the weight of serious allegations surrounding "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

In July 2020, BuzzFeed News published a damning exposé detailing a toxic work environment behind the scenes of DeGeneres' long-running talk show. Former and current employees spoke out about pervasive fear, intimidation, and an overall culture of silence. Some described being penalized for taking medical leave, attending funerals, or simply speaking up about workplace concerns.

Allegations of racism also emerged. A former Black employee reported experiencing racist remarks and microaggressions, including jokes about her hairstyle and being referred to with inappropriate terms.

In a follow-up investigation, more serious allegations of sexual misconduct were leveled against key senior producers, including Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman. Accusations ranged from inappropriate touching to explicit comments and coercive behavior. These allegations painted a deeply troubling picture of the show's leadership, raising questions about how such behavior had gone unchecked for so long.

While DeGeneres herself was not directly accused of harassment or misconduct, employees claimed she was aware of the toxic culture and failed to address it. Others described her off-camera demeanor as cold, dismissive, and vastly different from her bubbly on-screen persona.

In response to the allegations, DeGeneres issued a public apology, expressing regret and vowing to make changes. Warner Bros., the studio behind the show, launched an internal investigation, which led to the dismissal of senior producers Ed Glavin, Kevin Leman, and Jonathan Norman.

Despite these measures, the damage to DeGeneres' reputation was undeniable. Ratings for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" plummeted, and public trust in the host continued to erode.

In May 2021, she announced that her talk show would conclude after its 19th season. While she framed the decision as a desire to move on to new creative challenges, many speculated that the controversy played a significant role in her choice.