Ellen DeGeneres spoke on her talk show about the emotional strain she suffered from allegations of a toxic work environment.

In her latest Netflix special Ellen DeGeneres: For your consentEllen expressed her feelings about the scandal in July 2020.

Ellen described the allegations as “devastating”. She said: “I’m happy not to be a boss or a brand or a billboard, but just a person,” quoted by PEOPLE Magazine.

The former talk show host emphasized her complexity as an individual, saying, “I’m just a complex person with different feelings and emotions, and I can be happy and sad and compassionate or frustrated. I have OCD and ADD. I’m honest. I’m generous. I’m sensitive and considerate.”

She added, “But I’m tough, I’m impatient and I have high standards. I’m direct. I’m a strong woman,” which earned her applause and a standing ovation from the audience.

Speaking about her experiences as a public figure, Ellen said: “I spent my whole life trying to make people happy and cared too much about what other people thought of me. The thought of anyone thinking I was mean was devastating to me and it bothered me for a long time.”

The Ellen DeGeneres: For your consent is available on Netflix.