Rosie O’Donnell has always been open about her personal life, but in a recent interview, she shared one of the most painful chapters of her career: the end of her friendship with Ellen DeGeneres. The fallout between the two stars has lingered for more than two decades, and O’Donnell hasn’t held back in discussing the emotional impact it had on her.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The Rosie O’Donnell Ellen DeGeneres fallout began in 2004, during a live interview on Larry King Live. In that interview, Ellen publicly distanced herself from Rosie, stating that they were no longer friends. O’Donnell recalled how hurt she felt after Ellen’s comment, especially since she had been a strong ally to Ellen when she came out as gay in 1997.
“I stood by her then, but when the time came for her to return the favor, she did the opposite,” O’Donnell said. The comment, which seemed like a public rejection, was devastating for Rosie, especially since the two had shared such a deep bond for years. O’Donnell admitted that Ellen’s words left her feeling betrayed, a sentiment that still lingers today.
O’Donnell’s Reflection on the Breakup
The Rosie O’Donnell Ellen DeGeneres fallout was not just a personal heartbreak for O’Donnell but a career-defining moment. “That was one of the most painful things that ever happened to me,” O’Donnell confessed. Despite their long history together, which included sharing intimate moments like Ellen holding O’Donnell’s newborn children, the public fallout felt like a rupture that could never be healed.
O’Donnell went on to explain that she doesn’t rehash the story for “pleasure.” Instead, she speaks about it because their careers have intertwined in ways that continue to affect both of them. She also revealed that she would have been open to an apology, but the rift between them was too deep to be easily mended.
Ellen’s Apology and Their Current Relationship
In 2022, O’Donnell revealed that Ellen reached out with an apology via text, acknowledging the hurt caused by her comments all those years ago. While O’Donnell appreciated the gesture, she made it clear that the memory of their fallout remained sharp in her mind. Even now, the fallout between Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres remains a defining moment in her life.