In a surprising turn of events, beloved comedian Ellen DeGeneres is reportedly making plans to leave the United States and start a new chapter in the UK. This decision comes after Donald Trump’s win in the recent presidential election.
Ellen, well-known as a former talk show host, had openly supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 elections. She, like many others, hoped to see Harris become the first female president of the USA.
However, after a closely fought election, Trump emerged victorious, leaving some, including Ellen, re-evaluating their future plans.
The election concluded on the evening of November 5, when Trump’s victory over Harris was officially announced. Harris stepped up to candidate status just a few months before the elections due to current President Biden’s exit from the race.
In the days following these results, numerous celebrities have aired their thoughts on social media, expressing their disappointment or joy. Notably, some had mentioned moving overseas if Trump secured another term – Ellen DeGeneres appears to be among those taking this drastic step.
According to reports from The Wrap, Ellen is serious about her intentions, and has already purchased a home in the picturesque Cotswolds area in southwest England. Located two hours from London, this area is known for its tranquility and charming countryside landscapes.
TMZ adds that Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, made this purchase before the election results but were particularly motivated to leave following Trump’s win, feeling quite “disillusioned” with the political landscape.
A request for comments has been sent to both Ellen’s and Trump’s representatives, yet no official statements have been released in response.
The Cotswolds, apart from its scenic views, is also home to several other famous personalities. Amongst the list of celebrity residents are actor Jamie Dornan, television host Jeremy Clarkson, and the renowned Beckham family.
Ellen and Portia, in a show of embracing their new British life, were recently spotted in a video featured on Jeremy Clarkson’s partner Lisa Hogan’s Instagram account. The video, tagged in the Cotswold hills, captured a joyful atmosphere with the two sitting together at Clarkson’s Farmer’s Dog pub during a performance by the Irish band The Corrs.
This clip also caught the presence of singer Natalie Imbruglia, enthusiastically singing along, with Ellen and Portia waving warmly to the camera—suggesting their ease in the new setting.
Lisa Hogan shared and tagged Portia, Ellen, Natalie Imbruglia, alongside partner Clarkson and singer James Blunt, even though the latter two did not appear in the video.
Where Do the Couple Own Properties?
The couple previously called the glamorous town of Montecito, California, their home—a place also frequented by other notable figures like Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle. This luxurious abode was bought by Ellen back in 2019.
Ellen and Portia have built a reputation for buying and selling lavish properties, a passion reported by The New York Post, stating that over the years, their real estate dealings collectively stood at a stunning $450 million in value.
One of their more recent transactions involved selling a Beverly Crest home in 2022 for $8.757 million, which they had acquired a year prior for $8.5 million, demonstrating their successful investment foresight.
An even larger turnover occurred when they sold a Beverly Hills mansion, initially bought for $42.5 million, for $47 million in 2021. This property was previously owned by Maroon 5’s lead Adam Levine.
In 2020, the stars also sold a Montecito property for $33.3 million, promptly after purchasing it for $27 million within the same year.
Ellen candidly shared in her 2015 book “Home” about her passion for renovating, revealing that she had transformed about 15 properties over the past 25 years.
‘Kicked Out of Showbusiness’
Moving to the UK may signify a fresh beginning for Ellen amid her departure from the limelight, especially after her much-discussed Netflix special, “For Your Approval,” where she touched on feeling “kicked out of showbusiness” following unfavorable media fallout.
Her reputation suffered in July 2020, when allegations arose regarding the toxic environment on her show’s set. This criticism included jabs from other celebrities, affecting her public image.
After ending her talk show in 2022, Ellen gradually stepped away from public appearances. Her Los Angeles-filmed standup comedy special, which she described as her final performance of its kind, underscored her love for comedy and entertaining people.
She humorously addressed her show’s close, revealing the backlash for her “be kind to one another” mantra, adding that such earnest appeals perhaps weren’t always well-received.
On a lighter note, she jested about her forced exit from entertainment: “You can’t be mean in showbusiness. They’ll kick you out.” Reflecting on a previous notion, she quipped, “No gay people in showbusiness. They’ll kick you out. I’m sure I’ll be nudged out again for being old—mean, old, and gay—a trifecta,” she said with her distinctive humor.
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