Ellen's emotional video falls flat with fans

Ellen DeGeneres has joined a host of celebrities speaking out over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed in police custody, as protests sweep across America.

The TV host shared an emotional video on social media on Tuesday, revealing she was “sad and angry” at what was unfolding, adding the hashtag #Blacklivesmatter.

“I haven’t spoken directly because I don’t know what to say. I am so sad, and I am so angry,” she says in the two-minute video.

“I know I’m not going to say the right thing, I know there are going to be a lot of people who are in disagreement with what I say, but I have a platform and I have a voice and I have always stood for equality.”

Ellen went on to say she always “wanted to be the voice for people who felt like they didn’t have a voice”.

“Because I know what that feels like,” she added. “Maybe you don’t agree with how it’s coming out, but you have to understand it, and then we can heal it.

“I’m just so sorry that it’s come to this. I really don’t know what to say other than this has gone on way, way, way too long. People have gotten away with murder. That’s what’s happening. We’ve got to see fairness and justice for all, because right now this is not a fair world, not at all.”

In the caption to the video she linked out to a website of resources to support Black Lives Matter also urging her followers to: “Sign a petition. Make a donation. Get informed. Make a phone call.”

But despite her intentions, the clip fell somewhat flat with her 90 million followers, particularly given the recent backlash she has faced as a result of former staff members speaking out against her.

“You said absolutely nothing Ellen? Absolutely nothing to help anyone or anything,” one person commented.

“I’m sorry but of all the things she could say, that’s it?” another agreed.

Others however stood up for the talk show host.

“She actually surprised me! She earned my respect,” one person wrote.

“I have never seen you look so sad and emotionally drained!” another pointed out.

Ellen’s post comes as she continues to cop criticism after former guests on her show and staffers lifted the lid on her supposed bad behaviour compared with her open-minded on-screen persona.

A former bodyguard claimed the host treated him and other staff in a ‘demeaning’ and ‘sly’ way. He told Fox News that when introduced to him, the host didn’t engage at all beyond a ‘side glance out of her eye’, saying he was shocked to witness her ‘false facade’ drop away.

Shortly after another staffer told the New York Post: "The stories are all true!"

"Is she always nice? No." They continued: "It irritates me that people think she’s all sweetness and light and she gets away with it," they added.

Ellen has not openly responded to the criticism, however an insider recently said she was ‘at the end of her rope’.

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