Comic Kevin Hart, singer Katy Perry and other stars have pertained to Ellen DeGeneres’ defence after allegations that her TELEVISION show is a poisonous office.
Nevertheless, the show’s one-time resident DJ has said he “did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment”.
It follows a Buzzfeed News story that declared senior personnel had actually bullied and frightened others on set.
DeGeneres later apologised to personnel, stating steps would be required to “correct the issues” that had emerged.
One existing and 10 former employees informed Buzzfeed they had experienced bigotry and a workplace that was “dominated by worry”.
On Tuesday, Tony Okungbowa, who was the program’s DJ from 2003-2006 and 2007-2013, echoed those accounts, including: “I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a much healthier and more inclusive office.”
DeGeneres has distanced herself from the allegations, saying she had been “misrepresented” by “people who work with me and for me”.
Some of the host’s celebrity friends have now closed ranks. Hart said he had known DeGeneres “for many years” and called her “one of