Tony Okungbowa, a former DJ forย The Ellen DeGeneres Show, opened up about the โtoxicityโ he experienced on the show.
Okungbowa, who served as on-air talent onย Ellen DeGeneresโ daytime talk show for nearly 10 years, released a statement on Tuesday (August 4) in solidarity with fellow formerย Ellenย employees who have since come forward with complaints of bullying, racism, and intimidation in addition to the showโsย โtoxicโ workplace environment.
โHey Guys, I hope you are all keeping safe out there during these trying times. I have been getting calls asking me about the Ellen Degeneres Show and I would like to address the time I spent there,โ Okungbowa started. โI was on air talent from 2003-2006 and from 2007 -2013. While I am grateful for the opportunity it afforded me, I did experience and feel the toxicity of the environment and I stand with my former colleagues in their quest to create a healthier and more inclusive workplace as the show moves forward.โ
Although theย Bob Hearts Abisholaย star did not detail the โtoxicityโ he experienced on set, Okungbowaโs comments align with various other incriminating allegations against DeGeneres and her show, which is currently underย an internal investigation by WarnerMedia.
The comedian has beenย embroiled in accusationsย since March when current and former employees began breaking their silence.
Although DeGeneres has since issued a statement of apology, claims of her being a โtoxic hostโ have been the least of the damaging accusations to emerge. Last week, dozens of formerย Ellenย employeesย claimed they experienced or witnessed acts of sexual misconductย on the show.
The turmoil surrounding the show even sparked rumorsย that DeGeneres might be ending her talk show for good.
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