Ellen DeGeneres opens up to David Letterman about her childhood sexual abuse
Ellen DeGeneres is opening up about being sexually abused by her stepfather as a teenager, saying she hopes to empower young girls to speak out.
DeGeneres spoke to David Letterman for an episode of his Netflix talk show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, which will be released on Friday. In it, she describes her stepfather sexually assaulting her when she was 15 or 16 years old.
“He told me ... that he'd felt a lump in [my mom's] breast and needed to feel my breasts because he didn't want to upset her, but he needed to feel mine," DeGeneres says, Yahoo reports. "...He convinced me that he needs to feel my breasts and then he tries to do it again another time, and then another time."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
DeGeneres went on to say that when her stepfather tried to come into her room, she "kicked the window out and ran." But she says that she didn't tell her mother because "I was protecting her and I knew that would ruin her happiness." This is something she now regrets, saying, "I should never have protected her — I should have protected myself." When she did eventually speak up, DeGeneres says at first her mother didn't believe her.
The talk show host also said that the only reason she's detailing this "really horrible, horrible" story is that "I want other girls to not ever let someone do that," adding "it angers me when victims aren't believed, because we just don't make stuff up," The Wrap reports.
DeGeneres spoke with Today in October 2018, after Christine Blasey Ford's testimony against then Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, about being the victim of sexual abuse, saying she is "furious" at people who don't believe survivors. She also said on Ellen that "if anything, before I stop doing this show someday, I hope that I'm empowering women. We just have to not be quiet anymore."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Criminal trail?'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Grindr 'shared user HIV status' with ad firms, lawsuit claims
Speed Read LGBTQ dating app accused of breaching UK data protection laws in case filed at London's High Court
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
The best dog-friendly hotels around the UK
The Week Recommends Take a break with your four-legged friend in accommodation that offers you both a warm welcome
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published