One of the empty offices inside TikTok's headquarters had been converted into a war room.
That was the only way to describe it.
Rows of desks filled the space. Screens glowed with dashboards tracking hashtags and engagement patterns. Everyone inside had signed airtight NDAs before they were allowed through the door.
This was where the avalanche would begin. The avalanche that would bury Ellen DeGeneres's career.
Honestly, I did not need to do this.
Ellen's career would probably collapse on its own in a year or two. At least, that was what had happened in my old world. The stories about her show, her producers, and the toxic backstage culture had eventually broken through the carefully polished image. There was a chance it would happen here too.
There was also a chance it would not.
This world was not a perfect copy of the one I remembered. Some things happened earlier. Some happened later. Some never happened at all.
So why wait?
Why not move up the timetable a little?
Maybe Ryan had brought me up on his own. Maybe Ellen had pushed him toward it because I had rejected every invitation to appear on her show. Maybe both of them had thought it would be funny to drag my name through the mud during the worst week I had had in years.
I had checked on Ellen two years earlier, back when I first remembered the controversy from my old life. At the time, I only wanted to know whether the same problems existed here. I had expected a few complaints, some rumors, the usual Hollywood backstage unpleasantness.
What I found had been worse than that.
Not enough to move immediately. Not enough people willing to go on record. Too many frightened staffers. Too many producers acting as shields. Too many assistants who had signed contracts, taken settlements, or simply wanted to survive in the industry without becoming targets.
After the segment with Ryan, I had asked for another quiet review through the same channels.
This time, the picture was uglier.
The friendly daytime queen. The dancing. The smiles. The endless reminders to be kind.
Be kind, my ass.
Behind the cameras, the show sounded like a pressure cooker. Staff were humiliated for small mistakes. Assistants were treated like disposable servants. Producers were protected from even the worst things.
There were even sexual harassment complaints connected to people working under her.
Whether Ellen had personally created every ugly thing happening backstage did not really matter anymore. She had built her empire on the idea that kindness was her brand. If there was that much unkindness behind the friendly mask, then the public had a right to see it.
A young woman from the communications team looked up from her laptop.
"We have three former staffers willing to speak anonymously, and one willing to go on record if legal reviews the statement first."
"Good," I said. "No one goes public until legal clears every word."
A man at the next desk nodded. "We're also mapping the hashtag activity. 'WhoHatesEllen' is still moving. We can redirect it toward workplace stories without making it look coordinated."
I nodded. "You seem to have it all in hand. Keep up the good work."
I looked at Graves, and then we both walked out.
=========
@SarahMichelleSmith
It's funny how this hashtag has been trending all day.
#WhoHatesEllen?
I'll tell you who hates Ellen.
Me.
I worked as a PA on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for 18 months. First rule we were told on day one: do not make eye contact with Ellen. Do not speak to her unless she speaks to you first.
The "be kind" thing?
That's only when the cameras are rolling.
@SarahMichelleSmith
Working there was hell.
People cried in bathrooms. People got screamed at for mistakes they didn't make. People were terrified of being noticed by the wrong producer on the wrong day.
And when one producer kept making comments about my body and asking me to come to his office after hours, I went to HR. I was fired two weeks later. #WhoHatesEllen
@marvelous_mike
This is really hard to believe.
Not saying you're lying, but Ellen? Really?
@LanaBWrites
I believe you.
My friend worked there for six months and said it was the worst job she ever had. She used to joke that the audience saw one show and the staff lived in a different one. Except she wasn't really joking.
@Ellefenscct
Funny how everyone suddenly has a story the moment it becomes trendy to hate Ellen. Where were all these people before?
@SarahMichelleSmith
Scared. That's where. Scared of losing work. Scared of getting blacklisted.
@Jules_Archive
Wait, wait. So Adler was onto something here? Because Ryan went on Ellen and tried to make him look bad for hating her, and now half her former staff are saying, "Actually, he was right."
That is insane.
@harryprovsast
A writer's assistant was fired for taking one day off to attend a family funeral. "Lack of commitment."
We were all terrified to take time off after that. Sick days, family emergencies, anything. The fear was real. #WhoHatesEllen
@BuzzFeedNews
Dozens of former Ellen employees are speaking out about a toxic workplace culture of fear, intimidation, and racism behind the scenes. Multiple sources describe being told not to look at or speak to DeGeneres. #WhoHatesEllen
[Link]
@Variety
Sources tell Variety that the "be kind" mantra on The Ellen DeGeneres Show does not extend to staff. Former employees describe a culture of fear, retaliation, and silence behind the scenes. #WhoHatesEllen
@MissBowie
I'm a Black woman who worked on the show. A senior producer once said to me and another Black colleague, "Wow, you both have box braids. I hope we don't get you confused." Another writer said she only knew the names of the white staff. Nobody said a word. #WhoHatesEllen
@PopCultureMia
These stories coming out under #WhoHatesEllen are disturbing, if true. Multiple former staffers saying the same things independently? That's not nothing.
@Alloyneth
Holy shit, this hashtag has a whole new meaning now. It started as "Who hates Ellen? She's so nice." Now the answer is apparently, "Everyone who worked there." Jajajaja.
@Forenment
An old clip is resurfacing of Ellen bragging about making an employee "cry like a baby" on the show. This was years ago, but it hits very differently with everything coming out today. #WhoHatesEllen
@PennyHolt
So this hashtag started against Daniel Adler to show how great Ellen is. Now it's exposing Ellen. You think you know people.
@percebehtfan
Daniel knew what she was and stayed away from her.Then she and Ryan tried to get one over on him, and it backfired so hard it might end her entire show.
#adlerwasright
#WhoHatesEllen
#WeHateEllen
@Adlficial
I hate that Adler might have been right about this.
I hate it.
I hate it so much.
@Cnehilejun
Daniel Adler refusing to go on Ellen for years suddenly looks less petty and more like a man avoiding a landmine.
@EntertainmentWire
Ellen DeGeneres addresses staff allegations on air: "I take responsibility for what happens at my show."
Multiple sources, however, say the apology felt tone-deaf, and that the toxic culture came from the top. #WhoHatesEllen
@HwoodWatcher
Several high-profile guests have quietly pulled out of upcoming episodes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show following the wave of staff allegations. #WhoHatesEllen
@MiasyWilliams
I was told by management that if Ellen walked by, we were to look down or away. One stage manager got fired after she tried to say good morning. This was daily life. #WhoHatesEllen
@Marenreer
Wildest PR reversal I've ever seen.
@PopCrave
#WhoHatesEllen has completely flipped. The hashtag is now dominated by former staff sharing stories of racism, intimidation, workplace retaliation, and hypocrisy on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
@TheEllenShow
After careful consideration, The Ellen DeGeneres Show will be taking a temporary hiatus while an internal workplace review is conducted.
We are committed to fostering a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone who works on the show.
@BuzzFeedNews
BREAKING: Warner Horizon confirms an internal investigation into workplace allegations surrounding The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Former employees say they hope the review includes senior producers and not just lower-level staff.
@Variety
Several advertisers are reassessing partnerships with The Ellen DeGeneres Show after former employees described a workplace culture at odds with the host's public image.
@PopCultureMia
The craziest part is Daniel Adler has not said a single public word about this. He just refused to go on her show for years, got mocked for it, and then the entire thing collapsed on its own.
@HollywoodLedger
Industry insiders now say Adler's long refusal to appear on Ellen may have been tied to private knowledge of backstage complaints.
@NoContextHollywood
Ryan Reynolds: "Daniel hates Ellen."
The internet: "Why?"
Former Ellen employees: "Funny you should ask."
@finalgirlcinema
.
.
.
Ellen stared at her phone.
Every refresh brought a new post, a new headline. People who had once cheered when she danced through the audience were now sharing stories, laughing at jokes, and twisting her name into something ugly.
"Ellen Degenerate," she read aloud.
Her voice shook with disbelief more than hurt.
"They're calling me Ellen Degenerate now."
Portia, her wife, stood near the windows with her arms folded loosely across her chest.
Ellen scrolled again.
"They all turned on me."
Her manager's voice came through the phone on the table.
"Ellen, I need you to calm down."
"I am calm."
"You are not calm."
"I did nothing wrong."
There was a pause on the other end.
"We can fix this," he said carefully. "But we need to stop reacting emotionally. We need time. We need to slow the story down, prepare a controlled statement, and let the network conduct a review."
Ellen laughed, sharp and humorless.
"That is what you said last week. You said we needed time last week, and it has only gotten worse. Every hour, there's another article. Another assistant. Another writer. Another person crying online about how fucking hard their job was."
"Some of these claims are serious."
"So what if some bad apples worked for me?" Ellen snapped. "That doesn't make it my fault."
Portia turned from the window.
"Come on, Ellen."
Ellen looked up.
"What?"
"You knew about Brad."
The room went silent.
Her manager did not speak.
Ellen's face tightened. "That was complicated."
"Was it?"
"Yes, Portia, it was. Brad was an important part of production. He kept the show moving. He handled things other people couldn't handle."
"He was accused of harassing an intern."
"He was accused," Ellen said, emphasizing the word. "People accuse powerful people of things all the time."
Portia stared at her.
"It was bad, Ellen."
"And I was supposed to destroy someone's career because of one claim? What if she was lying? What if she misunderstood something? What if it was all about money?"
Portia's expression cooled.
Ellen looked away first.
Her manager cleared his throat.
"Look, we can survive this."
"My image is being ripped apart."
"I know. Listen to me."
"No, you don't know. My whole life is being turned into a joke."
Portia said, "I told you not to do that Adler thing. It was kind of low. Well, not lower than you trying to give champagne to Mariah Carey, but yeah, it was low."
Ellen's eyes snapped toward her.
"What does that have to do with this?"
"Everything."
"That segment was Ryan joking. That was nothing."
"It started the hashtag," Portia said. "Ryan came on your show, you let him pile on Adler, and the whole joke was that Daniel hated you because you were too nice. Then people started asking who hated Ellen, and suddenly the answer was half your former and current staff."
Ellen said nothing.
Portia continued, "You brought this down on yourself."
"That is not my fault. You're acting like I caused this."
"I'm saying you poked someone you shouldn't have poked."
Ellen looked back down at her phone.
Daniel Adler's name was everywhere now, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. Half the posts claimed he had known all along. Some said he had avoided the show for years because he knew what she was. Others accused him of orchestrating the entire collapse from behind the scenes.
It was ridiculous.
It had to be ridiculous.
Her manager spoke again.
"We have a plan."
Ellen closed her eyes. "Good."
"You make an apology."
"No."
"Ellen."
"I am not going on television and begging forgiveness for things I didn't do."
"You don't admit intentional wrongdoing. You say you were unaware of the full extent of the workplace issues, that you are heartbroken to learn people felt hurt, and that you are committed to making the show a safe, respectful place."
Portia shook her head.
"That's worse."
The manager sighed. "No, it isn't."
"It makes her sound like she had no idea what was happening on her own show. It's her show. Her name is on it."
"That is better than sounding like she did know."
Ellen's grip tightened around her phone.
"We need to make it clear I'm a victim too," she said.
Portia went still.
Her manager hesitated only a second too long before answering.
"There may be a way to frame some of it that way."
"Good."
"Not as a victim of the employees," he clarified. "But as the victim of a toxic production environment that grew beyond your direct control. You can say you trusted people who failed to uphold the values of the show."
"Yes," Ellen said quickly. "Exactly. I trusted them."
The manager continued, gaining confidence.
"We bring together a group of celebrities who support you. People who have been on the show. People you helped. People who can talk about your kindness and generosity."
"That would work," Ellen said.
"It could help stabilize the public narrative."
"Jennifer will say something. Kevin. Maybe Oprah."
"We'll reach out."
Ellen stood and began pacing.
"They know me. These people know me. They owe me."
=========
Three days later, Ellen was back on the phone once more, talking to her manager.
She sat on the edge of the couch, one hand pressed against her forehead, staring at nothing while her manager spoke.
"They're distancing themselves."
"What do you mean, distancing themselves?"
"I mean they're declining to comment. Most of them don't want to be involved."
"Declining to comment."
"Yes."
"For me."
"Ellen."
"All these years," she said. "I just talked to Jennifer. She said she will. I…"
"It's not personal. It's business. The story is too hot right now."
"No," she said. "They're cowards."
Her manager's voice lowered.
"I think we misread the scope of this."
She looked up slowly.
"What does that mean?"
"It means this is bigger than former staff complaining online. The industry is watching very carefully. Privately, some people have started framing this as Adler versus Ellen."
"There is no Adler versus Ellen."
"I have nothing against him."
"This is not about Daniel Adler."
She said it all in quick succession.
"Maybe not to you," the manager said. "But to other people, the timing is hard to ignore. You had Ryan bring him up. The hashtag started there. Then, almost immediately, former staffers came forward, and major outlets had stories ready."
"You know the rumors, Ellen. About Weinstein. I know they can't be true, and no one talks about it openly, but there are rumors. Adler has gained a reputation among us representatives. You know a lot of firms try to stay cordial with him."
Ellen swallowed.
"You think he's behind this?"
"I think people are saying he might be."
"People?"
"Agents. Producers. Publicists. A few executives."
"That's insane."
"It is all circumstantial. Rumors. Industry gossip. No proof. But the belief alone matters."
"If people think Adler is behind this," Ellen said quietly, "they don't want to get in the middle of it."
Her manager said nothing.
"He has too much reach," he continued after a moment. "Studios, streaming, tech, publishing, gaming, social media, talent relationships. Even people who like you, your closest friends, are asking whether defending you publicly is worth potentially angering him."
Ellen stared at the floor.
After a moment, he said, "The network is discussing a hiatus."
"No."
"It may only be temporary."
"No."
"Ellen, listen to me."
"No."
"They want time for the investigation. They want advertisers to calm down. They want the story off the air."
"They can't take me off."
"No one is saying permanently."
"They can't take me off my own show."
"Ellen."
"I did nothing wrong."
"I know."
"No, you don't. Nobody knows. Everybody wants a villain, so now it's me."
"We can still recover," he said, though he sounded less certain than before. "But we need to reduce the pressure inside the industry. That means making sure this does not become a feud with Adler."
"I told you, there is no feud."
"Then we need to make that clear. We should reach out to Mr. Adler's people. Quietly. Make sure there is no bad blood. If he signals, even privately, that he is not involved and has no interest in piling on, some of the fear may cool down."
Ellen laughed once. It was weak and bitter.
"The network can't do this," Ellen whispered.
Her manager said nothing.
"I built that show."
"I did nothing wrong."
The manager's voice came softly through the phone.
"I know, Ellen."
She stared at the black television screen across the room and saw her own reflection staring back.
Smaller than she remembered.
"I did nothing wrong."
.
.
You can read up to chapter 340 here.
p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)