Ellen DeGeneres has dramatically returned to her signature blonde hairstyle, marking the end of a year-long period where she embraced her natural grey roots. The 67-year-old retired comedian revealed her new look on Christmas Day during a visit to her 95-year-old mother, Betty, at a retirement home.
A Family Gathering and Personal Struggles
The festive visit included DeGeneres's elder brother, Vance, 71, and his wife, Joanna. This family moment comes after a challenging period for the television icon. Last year, during her Netflix special For Your Approval, DeGeneres disclosed that her mother Betty had been diagnosed with dementia.
The 34-time Emmy winner shared the poignant reality that 'My mother doesn't know she's my mother,' adding that she was 'trying to figure out who I am without my show.' Betty DeGeneres, a retired speech therapist, authored two books about her famous daughter and became the first straight spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign's National Coming Out Project after Ellen publicly came out as a lesbian in 1997.
Brother's Defence and Past Scandals
The Christmas reunion also featured Vance DeGeneres, who was one of his sister's most vocal defenders during the professional crisis that led to the cancellation of her daytime talk show. The programme ended in 2021 after 19 seasons following allegations of racism, workplace bullying, and sexual harassment behind the scenes.
In a since-deleted Facebook post, the former Daily Show correspondent vehemently defended his sister, writing: 'Ok, I need to say something. My sister is being viciously attacked. And let me assure you – it is all bulls***.' He described Ellen as a 'smart, strong woman who has made a positive difference in the world.'
The scandal was ignited in March 2020 by a tweet from comedian Kevin T. Porter, which solicited 'insane stories' about DeGeneres being mean and received over 2,600 replies. A subsequent BuzzFeed News exposé featured allegations from one current and ten former employees. By August 2020, WarnerMedia had launched an internal investigation, DeGeneres issued a formal apology, and three executive producers were fired.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Life in England
DeGeneres now faces a forthcoming legal battle unrelated to the show's controversy. The Louisiana-born star is scheduled for a non-jury trial in November 2026 concerning a 2023 car crash in Santa Barbara County. An unidentified plaintiff accuses DeGeneres of T-boning her vehicle at a four-way stop, resulting in 'multiple serious personal injuries,' emotional distress, and a 'loss of enjoyment of life.'
Currently, DeGeneres and her wife of 18 years, retired actress Portia de Rossi, are spending 'a few weeks' in California. Their permanent home is now in the Cotswolds region of England, a move they made following the re-election of President Donald Trump. Before the talk show ended, DeGeneres was also known for voicing the character Dory in Pixar's Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.
As she navigates family challenges, legal issues, and life after her defining television career, DeGeneres's hair transformation symbolises another new chapter for the comedian, whose career has spanned groundbreaking comedy, award-winning television, and significant public controversy.
