Margaret Cho Calls Out Ellen DeGeneres for Years of Coldness and “Mean Girl” Behavior

Margaret Cho recently opened up about her complicated relationship with fellow comedian Ellen DeGeneres during an episode of The Kelly Mantle Show podcast. Cho, now 56, shared that she has known DeGeneres, 67, for many years, going back to their early days in the stand-up comedy scene.

However, despite this history, Cho described DeGeneres as someone who came across as both pleasant and mean, calling her a “mean girl” type who could also be “real nice.” This duality marked much of their relationship, leaving Cho with mixed emotions.

Cho Suspects Jealousy and Distance Shaped Ellen’s Cold Behavior Over the Years

Cho speculated that some of DeGeneres’ coldness toward her might have stemmed from jealousy or discomfort, noting that Ellen’s romantic partners often expressed admiration for Cho. She commented that “there’s a kind of woman who loves a female comic,” implying this admiration may have sparked negative feelings in DeGeneres. Cho stated plainly that Ellen “was really weird, and not nice to me for most of my career,” suggesting a pattern of subtle hostility over the years.

Despite opening for DeGeneres during the early stages of her career in the 1980s, Cho said their dynamic shifted drastically when she appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the 2000s. Cho recounted that Ellen acted as if they were strangers, which left her feeling bewildered and hurt. “We go way back,” she insisted, expressing disbelief at DeGeneres’ distant attitude on set, despite their long professional history.

David Bowie’s Praise Cut from Show, Leaving Cho Hurt and Feeling Dismissed Publicly

One of the more hurtful moments Cho described involved the late David Bowie. According to Cho, Bowie had praised her enthusiastically during an interview on DeGeneres’ show, recounting how thrilled he was to see Cho at his concert in a dramatic Chinese emperor outfit.

However, Cho claimed that DeGeneres deliberately cut that portion of the interview. A producer friend reportedly confirmed this, saying they were surprised and saddened by the decision. Cho admitted that while the edit may have been for time constraints, she still took it personally.

Ellen DeGeneres ended her talk show in May 2022 following allegations of a toxic workplace environment. These accusations reportedly had a significant impact on her mental health, as she discussed in her final Netflix comedy special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, in 2024. After stepping back from public life, DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, relocated to the English countryside, distancing themselves from the Hollywood spotlight. Meanwhile, Cho’s candid reflections add another layer to the public’s evolving perception of DeGeneres.