Ellen DeGeneres felt ‘hurt’, ‘rejected’ after coming out

Ellen DeGeneres has spoken candidly about how she dealt with coming out in 1997, admitting that she felt “isolated” and “rejected” for a time afterwards.

The comedian and chatshow host, 56, has been happily married to Arrested Development actress Portia Di Rossi since 2008, but was not always so comfortable with her personal life.

Recalling how she felt after revealing her sexuality in 1997, DeGeneres told People: “I didn’t think it was going to be that much of a surprise. What hurt was this: Does that label, that word, change my talent, my kindness, my heart, my intention for entertaining people?

“The bottom line is as simple as this, my feelings were hurt. I just gave up and moved to Ojai (in California) and sat in my house as long as I could until I ran out of money. Then I started over again.”

Later in the interview, DeGeneres added: “Looking back, I did feel isolated, I did feel rejected, but now I look at it as a movie that I saw that someone went through. I only experience the amazing life that I have right now.”

Ellen DeGeneres is now preparing to host this year’s Oscars in Los Angeles on March 2. Her incredibly popular US daytime chatshow has recently been renewed for its 14th season.