Talk show host Megyn Kelly has called Ellen DeGeneres a “monster” after revealing a disturbing account of the latter’s alleged behaviour towards staff. The remarks came during a discussion about the gap between DeGeneres’s cheerful public image and her alleged private reputation.

Megyn Kelly reacts to terrible Ellen DeGeneres staff story

Speaking on The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly recounted a specific rule allegedly imposed on Ellen DeGeneres’s production staff. Joined by comedian Adam Carolla, the conversation explored how some celebrities project warmth on camera while treating employees poorly when the cameras stop rolling.

Carolla opened the discussion by suggesting that excessively sweet public personas often mask an unpleasant private nature. He pointed to DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell as prime examples, noting that anyone who worked for them would share stories of how difficult they became once filming ended.

Kelly then said that a production staff member, through a blood relative she knows personally, disclosed that employees were forbidden from making eye contact with DeGeneres in hallways. “You were not allowed to look Ellen in the eye if you were on her production staff,” Kelly stated. She expressed disbelief that such a rule could apply to the very people DeGeneres had hired to support her career.

Kelly conceded that a rule against speaking to a host while they prepared for a show might be understandable. A presenter needs to focus before performing. However, the eye contact prohibition crossed a clear line for her. “You can’t make eye contact with her? She’s a monster,” Kelly concluded.

Carolla added further scepticism about DeGeneres’s public persona by sharing a personal observation. He attended a wedding where DeGeneres was present and noticed she was the only guest not dancing. This contrasted with the usual dancing that opened every episode of her show.

Kelly responded by highlighting the disconnect between DeGeneres’s on-screen image as a fun-loving host and the alleged reality that she has struggled to find anyone willing to speak positively about her. The pair have clashed repeatedly in recent years over political issues and the workplace allegations that ultimately contributed to the end of DeGeneres’s daytime programme.