Television icon Ellen DeGeneres has dramatically swapped her embraced grey roots for a return to her signature bright blonde locks, unveiling the transformation in a poignant Christmas family visit.
A Festive Family Visit and a New Look
The 67-year-old retired comedian revealed her new hairstyle on Christmas Day while visiting her 95-year-old mother, Betty DeGeneres, at a retirement home. She was accompanied by her elder brother, Vance DeGeneres, 71, and her sister-in-law, Joanna.
This visit carried significant emotional weight. Last year, in her Netflix special For Your Approval, the 34-time Emmy winner disclosed that Betty had been diagnosed with dementia. DeGeneres shared the heart-wrenching reality that her mother no longer recognises her as her daughter, a revelation that coincided with her own search for identity following the end of her long-running daytime show.
Betty, a retired speech therapist, authored two books about her famous daughter and made history as the first straight spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign's National Coming Out Project after Ellen publicly came out as a lesbian in 1997.
Brother's Defence and Lasting Scandals
The family gathering also highlighted the steadfast support of her brother, Vance. He was among the first to publicly defend DeGeneres in 2020 when her eponymous talk show faced cancellation after 19 seasons amidst allegations of a toxic workplace, including racism, bullying, and sexual harassment.
In a since-deleted Facebook post, the former Daily Show correspondent wrote, "Ok, I need to say something. My sister is being viciously attacked. And let me assure you – it is all bulls***." He praised her as a "smart, strong woman who has made a positive difference in the world."
The scandal was ignited by a viral tweet from comedian Kevin T. Porter in March 2020, which amassed 2,600 replies with stories about DeGeneres. This led to an exposé by BuzzFeed News and an internal investigation by WarnerMedia. Three executive producers were fired, and DeGeneres issued a formal apology to staff before the show ended in 2022.
Life in England and Legal Challenges Ahead
DeGeneres and her wife of 18 years, retired actress Portia de Rossi, are currently spending a few weeks in California. Their permanent home is now in the Cotswolds region of England, where they relocated following the re-election of President Donald Trump.
However, legal matters await her return to the US. The Louisiana-born star is scheduled for a non-jury trial in November 2026 concerning a 2023 car crash. An unidentified plaintiff accuses DeGeneres of T-boning her vehicle at a four-way stop in Santa Barbara County, claiming the collision caused multiple serious injuries, emotional distress, and a loss of enjoyment of life.
Despite stepping back from the spotlight, DeGeneres leaves a vast entertainment legacy, including her voice role as Dory in Pixar's Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, and her Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her Christmas hair reveal marks a symbolic return to a familiar image amid a profoundly changed personal and professional landscape.
