Comedian Margaret Cho has revealed that Ellen DeGeneres was “not nice” to her throughout most of her career, calling the former talk show host’s behavior “creepy and weird.” Despite their shared past performing together, Cho says Ellen repeatedly acted as if they’d just met. But what sparked this feud, and what incident has Cho still holding a grudge? Find out the jaw-dropping details behind their troubled history now! 👇👇

Margaret Cho Reveals Tense Relationship with Ellen DeGeneres: “She Wasn’t Nice to Me”

Comedian Margaret Cho has opened up about her complicated and strained relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, revealing that the former talk show host was often “not nice” to her during the early stages of her career. Cho, who has long been a fixture in the comedy world, recounted how she and DeGeneres had crossed paths many times throughout the 1980s and beyond—yet their interactions were far from warm.

In a new interview on The Kelly Mantle Show, Cho didn’t mince words, saying that Ellen had been “really weird” and distant with her throughout much of her career. The two women first met in the 1980s when Cho opened for DeGeneres at comedy clubs, where DeGeneres was a headliner. Despite their shared history, Cho recalled that when she appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show years later, DeGeneres would act as though they were complete strangers.

A “Bitch, What?” Moment

Cho described one particular incident in which DeGeneres’ dismissive behavior left her frustrated. “Ellen was really weird and not nice to me for most of my career,” Cho stated. “I opened for her in the 1980s, and later, when I would do her talk show in the 2000s, she would act like we just met.” Cho responded in disbelief, saying, “And I’m like, ‘Bitch, what?’ That’s weird. We go way back. It’s so creepy and weird.”

The comedian’s frustration with DeGeneres’ coldness was compounded by a specific episode where the legendary singer David Bowie praised Cho’s outfit on the show. Cho had attended a Bowie concert dressed in a “Chinese emperor outfit,” and during the episode, Bowie complimented her look. However, Cho learned that Bowie’s remarks were edited out of the final broadcast.

“The producer, who’s a really good friend of mine, had to call me and tell me, ‘I can’t believe she did this, but she cut it out of the show,’” Cho recalled. “‘But you need to know that he was going on and on about your outfit. God said your name. He loves you.’” Cho admitted that while she wasn’t sure if the comments were cut for time or another reason, she couldn’t help but feel personally slighted.

Cho’s Thoughts on DeGeneres’ Past Scandal

This isn’t the first time Cho has spoken about DeGeneres’ behavior. In 2020, when DeGeneres faced allegations of toxic behavior behind the scenes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Cho commented on the controversy. She admitted that she found DeGeneres “scary” and said, “I’m still scared of Ellen. Everyone should be scared of Ellen.”

The 2020 scandal saw DeGeneres apologize to her staff after an internal investigation uncovered “deficiencies” in the show’s production, leading to the departure of several producers. DeGeneres eventually chose to end the show in 2021 after 19 seasons, citing a lack of challenge as her reason for stepping away.

In her final stand-up special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval (2024), DeGeneres addressed the allegations with humor, joking, “Yeah, the ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind, that was the headline.” She later clarified that her initial intent with the “be kind” mantra was tied to her desire to heal childhood wounds, but the pressure and scrutiny of being in the public eye proved challenging.

Cho’s Continued Success

While her relationship with DeGeneres has been less than ideal, Cho has continued to thrive in the entertainment industry. Known for her unapologetic humor and activism, Cho has maintained a strong presence in comedy, and her interview on The Kelly Mantle Show is just the latest example of her candid nature.

Cho’s honesty about her experiences with DeGeneres offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics that can exist in Hollywood. It also highlights how even those who seem to have it all can struggle with interpersonal relationships, especially in the cutthroat world of entertainment.