Ellen DeGeneres lookalike says embattled chat show host’s ‘mean-spirited’ jibes left her ‘heartbroken’ and in therapy
Ellen DeGeneres (L) mocked Dawn Lutrell during a segment of her eponymous show. (Screen capture via YouTube)
An Ellen DeGeneres impersonator has revealed she sought therapy after the chat show host mocked her livelihood on live TV.
Dawn Lutrell told The Telegraph that she was left “heartbroken” after DeGeneres mocked her during a segment of her eponymous daytime talk show.
In 2018, Lutrell’s agent shared an audition tape of her performing as Ellen with a producer on the show. Soon enough, DeGeneres was on air, claiming she has been “on the internet”.
“I was searching how to remove red wine stains from a People’s Choice award, and I’m scrolling and minding my own business and an ad popped up,” DeGeneres said.
“I came across a me impersonator, I didn’t know I had one but here she is. What do you think does she look like me?
“I can see the hair is similar, I guess so,” DeGeneres said as she played the tape. Afterwards, she tore into the accuracy of Latrell’s impersonation.
Latrell had no idea she was going to be on TV.
“I had somebody call me and say, ‘You do realise you’re on The Ellen Show right now?’
“And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?'”
Lutrell said her mental health tumbled after the incident, leading her to seek therapy.
Ellen DeGeneres is ‘kind of a bully’ says lookalike.
Lutrell was once one of the millions of Ellen viewers who saw the host as something of an oasis.
But in recent months, the host’s spotless reputation has taken a beating, as her show was pelted with accusations of workplace bullying and toxicity and three of her top producers fired.
Pointing to the controversy, Lutrell said: “Ellen’s kind of mean-spirited and a bully.”
“I’ve always wanted Ellen to see what I’ve done and respect it. Now that’s gone? Show me the money!” she joked.
Returning to The Ellen DeGeneres Show last month, the comic acknowledged the controversy.
“As you may have heard, this summer there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show, and then there was an investigation,” she said.
“I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I am in a position of privilege and power and I realise that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.”
PinkNews has contacted Ellen DeGeneres’ representatives for comment.
