Ellen DeGeneres on The Today Show Talks Portia, Architecture and Having No Regrets on Coming Out
In conjunction with the release of her latest book Seriously, I’m Kidding Ellen DeGeneres sat down for an interview at her Hollywood estate with the Today Show’s Ann Curry. The pair discussed Ellen’s love of architecture, her wildly successful career despite Ellen’s being a self-proclaimed introvert, her willingness to take on difficult subjects on her talk show and the effects of her coming out publicly in 1998.
In conjunction with the release of her latest book Seriously, I’m Kidding Ellen DeGeneres sat down for an interview at her Hollywood estate with the Today Show’s Ann Curry.
The pair discussed Ellen’s love of architecture, her wildly successful career despite Ellen’s being a self-proclaimed introvert, her willingness to take on difficult subjects on her talk show and the effects of her coming out publicly in 1998.
“I’d rather talk about what I think is important than just be vanilla and try to be liked by everybody,” said the talk show host who has tackled such difficult subjects as LGBT teen suicide and bullying.
Regarding her decision to come out of the closet on her sitcom and in her professionally in 1998 Ellen said she had no regrets.
“I am free,” Ellen said, adding that she could be exactly who she is. “To have to hide anything is just a horrible way to live.”
The comedian also touched on the disconnect between the lack a lack of LGBT rights and her continued popularity and success.
“They do know I’m gay,” Ellen said of her audience and mentioning that lesbians and gays are still banned from marrying under federal law. “There’s opinions about who I am (a lesbian) and yet they like me.”
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP, Executive Producer of Entertainment for the Advocate Channel. A media veteran, she writes about the
intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP, Executive Producer of Entertainment for the Advocate Channel. A media veteran, she writes about the
intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
