Unmasking the Real Ellen DeGeneres: A Candid Exploration of Her Struggles and Resilience

In the most insightful part of "For Your Approval," Ellen DeGeneres candidly acknowledges that she was a poor fit to run a workplace, but she also highlights the unique challenges women leaders face in the entertainment industry. This Netflix special offers a rare glimpse into the personal and professional struggles of the beloved comedian, shedding light on the complexities of maintaining a public persona and the toll it can take on one's mental health.

Unraveling the Facade: Ellen DeGeneres' Candid Confessions and the Realities of Show Business

Navigating the Pressures of Likability and Kindness

Our social media-driven culture often incentivizes a veneer of likability, but maintaining that facade can be incredibly challenging. DeGeneres, who preached kindness on her talk show, has long been trying to escape this niceness trap. Her previous special, "Relatable," positioned her as the kind of person who doesn't want to hold your baby because it would mess up her sweater. This follow-up, "For Your Approval," mixes observational humor with a newly confessional style, allowing DeGeneres to shed light on the complexities of her public persona.

Confronting the Toxic Workplace Allegations

It takes a peculiarly modern chutzpah (or obliviousness) to say — on a Netflix special — that you were kicked out of show business. To be fair, it might feel that way to DeGeneres, 66, whose hit daytime show, "Ellen," ended in 2022 not long after reports claimed it had a toxic workplace. This followed years of people online pointing out that she was not as friendly as her television persona suggested. Leaving a successful talk show and ending up on the biggest streaming service in the world is not the worst trade, but these days, everyone receives 15 minutes of fame and an hour of cancel culture notoriety. DeGeneres handles hers with pointed offhandedness and light sarcasm, saying on her new special that she was kicked out of show business because she was mean.

Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity

In "For Your Approval," DeGeneres delves into her personal struggles, sharing insights about her OCD, ADHD, arthritis, and childhood neglect, and how her need for approval has damaged her mental health. This messy, revealing self-portrait stands in contrast to the polished, friendly image she has cultivated over the years. By peeling back the layers of her public persona, DeGeneres invites her audience to connect with her on a deeper level, showcasing the complexities of being a successful entertainer in the modern era.

Challenging the Double Standards for Women Leaders

One of the most insightful moments in "For Your Approval" is when DeGeneres acknowledges that she was a poor fit to run a workplace, but she also highlights the unique challenges women leaders face in the entertainment industry. This candid admission underscores the double standards and heightened scrutiny that women in positions of power often encounter, even in an industry that purports to champion diversity and inclusion.

Redefining the Comedic Legacy

As one of the most gifted low-key comics who ever picked up a microphone, DeGeneres is part of the family tree of patient pausers like Jack Benny and Bob Newhart. She still gets a lot out of a little, as evidenced by the applause she receives for a modest joke about the parking brake. In "For Your Approval," DeGeneres showcases her comedic prowess while also delving into the personal and professional challenges that have shaped her career and public persona.