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Ellen DeGeneres facing harsh criticism over her contribution to a fundraiser for the family of Matthew Wright, a longtime host of her former talk show who died suddenly at 52.
The comedian had shared an emotional video mourning his death, leaving many surprised by the reaction that followed her donation.
Although Ellen DeGeneres was among those who contributed to the GoFundMe campaign, some social media users questioned whether her financial support was enough, given her estimated fortune.
Helen DeGeneres shared a tearful tribute to her late producer
DeGeneres shared a tearful video Monday after learning of Wright’s death, remembering him as someone whose presence had a lasting impact on those around him. The former host struggled to hold back her emotions as she spoke about their time working together.
“He was an amazing guy, he was funny, god he made me laugh, he would surprise me with the things he did all the time,” she said. She also said he was smart and kind, saying he had been an important part of the program.
DeGeneres revealed that the two had been preparing to work on another project before his unexpected death. She said that her absence would have been greatly felt by the people who had been part of the show, describing it as “a cry for our whole Ellen Show family”.
She also recalled Wright’s close friendship with Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the show’s former DJ who died in 2022. DeGeneres became emotional as she reflected on their relationship, saying she thought the two were now “together, dancing and laughing.”
Despite the emotional proposal, DeGeneres soon found herself at the center of a social media controversy over her contribution to the Wright family fundraiser.
She donated $5,000 to the GoFundMe campaign, making her one of the top donors. However, some people questioned the amount due to her estimated net worth of $500 million.
Podcaster and author Dana Parish highlighted the donation in a post on X, explaining that Wright’s relatives had launched the campaign to help pay expenses after his death.
Her post drew strong reactions, with some users arguing that DeGeneres could have offered much more.
One commenter sarcastically wrote, “Big waste. She was crying her eyes out so much, why didn’t she just pay the whole 50k?”
Another critic called DeGenre’s contribution “heartless.” A third user also expressed displeasure, writing, “What a free-skate @Ellen!”
Ellen DeGeneres was supported among the backlash
Amidst the backlash against DeGeneres, others challenged the criticism and argued that the donation should not be judged without knowing the full situation.
One person questioned why a former executive producer of a major television show needed a fundraiser, asking, “The executive producer for the Ellen DeGeneres show needs financial support??? How is that?”
Another user offered a defense of DeGeneres, writing, “I can’t stand Ellen, but this post is ridiculous. We don’t know if they were still friends or even liked each other.”
The mixed reactions showed that although some expected a larger donation, others felt that the public was commenting on a personal relationship that they knew little about.
While DeGeneres has largely stepped away from regular television since her talk show ended, she has recently admitted that she misses being in front of an audience.
During her October 16 appearance on “The Graham Norton Show,” she talked about the possibility of returning to television, suggesting that she has not completely closed that chapter of her career.
“There’s nothing real going on and I really miss being on TV,” she said, explaining that she missed the laughter and interaction with writers and audiences. She also joked that it might not be particularly difficult to get a TV opportunity in the UK.
DeGeneres moved to the UK with her wife, Portia de Rossi, in 2024. Although she has had a quieter life there, she previously admitted that she felt a little tired and wanted to take on new activities.
However, her return to television may not look exactly like her previous day’s program. DeGeneres acknowledged that viewing habits have changed, noting that people now consume entertainment through their phones and are constantly exposed to information. She said she was considering her next move “carefully.”
Kalen Allen opens up about what happened after The Ellen DeGeneres Show‘
Kalen Allen has also reflected on how the controversy surrounding DeGeneres’ old show affected the people who worked there.
The comedian, who has appeared on the show several times and hosted “OMKalen” for his YouTube channel, discussed the experience in an interview on “With Love with Ty Cole.”
Although he remains grateful for the opportunities he’s been given, Allen said the negative attention surrounding the show created problems for former employees.
He explained that the public criticism often extended beyond DeGeneres, leaving other people associated with the production with unwanted consequences.
“It felt after it happened, it felt like it was a scarlet letter for all of us who worked at the show,” he said. Allen said that the focus on criticizing the host overlooked the impact on those who were also part of the program.
Allen also revealed that it was difficult to find a new job after the dispute. “It took people forever to even book stuff for me. I couldn’t get a job,” he said.
Despite these difficulties, he has continued to pursue opportunities in entertainment, including acting projects and hosting work. His comments provide another look at the show’s troubled final years, highlighting how its closure and the controversy surrounding it affected people beyond its longtime host.
