Ellen DeGeneres' brother Vance calls attack on comedian 'bulls**t', says she's 'bright light in a dark world'
After Ellen DeGeneres' wife Portia de Rossi spoke out in support of the comedian following allegations of bullying, racism and sexual misconduct in the workplace, the host's brother has spoken out publicly defending his sister against the negative reports. Vance DeGeneres, 65, expressed frustration at the attacks against her in social media posts across multiple platforms. "If you think Ellen would knowingly allow bullying or racism on her show, you don’t know my sister," he wrote on Twitter Tuesday. "She has been and continues to be a bright light in a dark world. She’s one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. And one of the funniest."
If you think Ellen would knowingly allow bullying or racism on her show, you don’t know my sister. She has been and continues to be a bright light in a dark world. She’s one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. And one of the funniest.
— Vance DeGeneres (@vancedegeneres) August 4, 2020
Soon support for Ellen poured in. "I don't think for a second Ellon (sic) is racist. If you have followed her career you would know she's not a racist. Maybe there might be someone on her staff but I don't think she knowingly would allow it. Who ever is upset you're not going to win this one," one wrote.
I don't think for a second Ellon is racist. If you have followed her career you would know she's not a racist. Maybe there might be someone on her staff but I don't think she knowingly would allow it. Who ever is upset you're not going to win this one.
— SaveTheElephant (@Linda6Waite) August 5, 2020
Another user said: "I agree with you 100% Ellen DeGeneres went through enough discrimination throughout her life & career & to allow it in her workplace knowingly is a fabricated story. There may be problems with some of the employees but if Ellen knows about it she'll fix it."
I agree with you 100% Ellen DeGeneres went through enough discrimination throughout her life & career & to allow it in her workplace knowingly is a fabricated story. There may be problems with some of the employees but if Ellen knows about it she'll fix it.
— Risamsbluewave (@ThereseSchluch2) August 5, 2020
"Please let her know to keep her head up. I’m more than happy to be a friend. She has been through so much in the past and she will get through this. Do not give up Ellen. We all have your back," someone else wrote.
❤️❤️ please let her know to keep her head up. I’m more than happy to be a friend. She has been through so much in the past and she will get through this. Do not give up Ellen. We all have your back. ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ovHOygEDLh
— Jillian (@jill2882) August 4, 2020
A fourth commented: "I support her. She is not racist. She’s kind hearted and a wonderful person God has bought to this world. We shouldn’t hate or discriminate someone. We shall always support, be there and admire someone and etc. The way she does."
I support her. She is not racist. She’s kind hearted and a wonderful person God has bought to this world. We shouldn’t hate or discriminate someone. We shall always support, be there and admire someone and etc . The way she does.
— Ciphergaming/Stealth (@Knight10660) August 5, 2020
Vance also took to Facebook in anger as he revealed that very few of his followers had spoken up in support of his younger sister, which had hurt him. "Ok, I need to say something. My sister is being viciously attacked. And let me assure you - it is all bulls—," he wrote. "I put up a simple statement yesterday that said 'I stand by Ellen.' Only a handful of my Facebook 'friends' responded to it. If you don't support Ellen, then you don't support me, so please unfriend me."
He added in the same post: "I'm sick and tired of my sister being attacked. She always has - and always will - stand against bullying of any kind. She's a smart, strong woman who has made a positive difference in the world. And to my friends who did respond with support for Ellen and my family, thank you so much. It means a lot."
On August 4, de Rossi took to Instagram to extend her support for Ellen amid all the allegations against her. She shared an image of a blue square with the words ‘I stand by Ellen’ and captioned the post, “To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support. #stopbotattacks. #IStandWithEllenDeGeneres #IStandByEllen #IstandByEllenDeGeneres.”
She posted the message shortly after the hashtag "ReplaceEllen" started going viral with people suggesting replacements for Ellen. However, according to her post, Rossi believed that the negative tweets about her wife were the work of internet bots. However, there is no evidence to prove that they were indeed posted by fake users.