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.”
Here’s Ellen in her own words:
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