JULIE Chen is being accused of throwing “shade” at Ellen DeGeneres after using the talk show host’s line of “be kind to one another” at the end of the Big Brother 22 premiere.
The 50-year-old turned some heads while wrapping up the latest premiere of the popular CBS reality show by using one of the comedian’s most well-known catchphrases.
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Julie said: “Be kind to one another.”
The show’s host then winked at the camera, and many of the program’s fans took to Twitter and claimed this may have been a dig at Ellen.
One person tweeted: “Did… did Julie Chen just throw shade at Ellen with her own line…?
Another added: “This cast. #BigBrother22 Maybe 2020 doesn’t suck after all!!! Oh and @JulieChen girl my queen I caught that shade you threw at Ellen at the end there.”
However one fan did not see this as shade thrown at Ellen at all.
She wrote: “Julie said ‘be kind to one another’ and winked at the camera. That phrase is what ellen says at the end of her shows…could this be her showing support for Ellen?”
The 62-year-old has felt the heat after numerous former employees accused The Ellen Show of tolerating everything from bullying to racism to sexual harassment. Warner Bros. is now investigating the allegations.
Former producer Hedda Muskat also called Ellen a “toxic host,” and claimed the talk show host once “giggled” after executive producer Ed Glavin screamed at a crew member.
Ellen eventually apologized for the harsh allegations in a letter sent to employees, and admitted that she had to take responsibility as her name was at the top.
However, she added that as her show has grown, she had “not been able to stay on top of everything” and had instead “relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done.”
She wrote: “Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”
Following the apology, staffers told The Sun exclusively that Ellen’s “apology and denial that she knew anything was going on” regarding the alleged behind-the-scenes misconduct is “complete bull.”
While many have accused Ellen of a “toxic” workplace, some celebrities like polo player Nacho Figueras and Katy Perry have stood up for her.
Kevin Hart also defended Ellen, saying, “It’s crazy to see my friend go thru what she’s going thru publicly (sic.).
“I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she’s one of the dopest people on the fucking planet. She has treated my family and my team with love and respect from day 1.”
Ellen’s longtime wife, Portia de Rossi, also stood up for her, as did the mega-star’s brother, Vance DeGeneres.
He wrote on Twitter: “If you think Ellen would knowingly allow bullying or racism on her show, you don’t know my sister.
“She has been and continues to be a bright light in a dark world. She’s one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. And one of the funniest.”
He continued on Facebook: “I’m sick and tired of my sister being attacked. She always has – and always will – stand against bullying of any kind.
“She’s a smart, strong woman who has made a positive difference in the world. And to my friends who did respond with support for Ellen and my family, thank you so much. It means a lot.”
