Painful Past: Rosie O'Donnell Opens Up About Her Friendship Rift with Ellen DeGeneres
The Ellen DeGeneres-Rosie O'Donnell Feud: A Tale of Betrayal and Heartbreak
In a bombshell revelation, comedy legend Rosie O'Donnell has finally opened up about the pain she endured after being publicly distanced by her "friend" Ellen DeGeneres in 2004. The dramatic tale of betrayal and hurt feelings is still fresh in O'Donnell's mind to this day, and it seems that even years later, the wound hasn't fully healed.
It all began when DeGeneres appeared on Larry King Live, just after O'Donnell came out as a lesbian. When asked about her thoughts on O'Donnell's revelation, DeGeneres infamously said, "I don't really know Rosie that well. I mean, I've spoken to her, but we're not really friends." The hurtful comment cut deep for O'Donnell, who claims she had been expecting a more supportive response from the Ellen show host.
The sting of DeGeneres' words has lingered with O'Donnell ever since, and it's clear that the experience left an indelible mark on her. In fact, O'Donnell was so affected by the comment that she even had T-shirts printed with the phrase "I don't know Rosie, we're not friends" as a way to cope with the pain. The gesture spoke volumes about the depth of O'Donnell's hurt and her need for closure.
Fast-forward nearly two decades later, and it seems that DeGeneres has finally reached out to apologize for her comments. However, according to O'Donnell, the apology came far too late in the game, and she's not willing to let DeGeneres back into her inner circle just yet.
"I have a picture of her holding my then-infant son Parker," O'Donnell revealed on The Hollywood Reporter. "I know her mother. I could identify her brother without her in the room. I knew her for so many years. It just felt like I don’t trust this person to be in my world." These words paint a picture of a deep-seated hurt and mistrust, one that's hard to shake even with an apology.
But what's perhaps most interesting is O'Donnell's claim that DeGeneres has reached out multiple times over the years to ask why she continues to bring up the issue. "She's asked me several times, 'Why are you still talking about this?'" O'Donnell recalled. Her response? "It was a profound moment for me."
In fact, O'Donnell went on to reveal that she even offered an apology to DeGeneres if the tables had been turned. "I would have apologized," she said. "I would have said 'I'm really sorry I hurt you that much and I don't know why I did that and it was a mistake and I hope you can forgive me.' That's what I would have done."
However, despite DeGeneres' recent apology, O'Donnell is still wary of forgiving her former "friend." After all, she claims to have heard rumors about the toxic workplace culture on Ellen's show. "I knew the way she treated me must be the way she treats others," O'Donnell said, adding that she felt "very betrayed."
In the end, it seems that O'Donnell is unwilling to let go of the hurt and betrayal she experienced all those years ago. As she so eloquently put it, "I don't rehash it for pleasure. I rehash it because our careers have taken sort of parallel, interwoven paths." It's a poignant reminder that even with apologies and forgiveness, some wounds can take a lifetime to heal.
Sources:
- The Hollywood Reporter
- thescholarlynote.com
