Credit: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

She’s assured everyone that change is already underway.

Back in July, word got around that the backstage work of The Ellen DeGeneres Show had become extremely toxic. Several anonymous employees had come forward at the time, revealing regular occurrences of things like racial and sexual discrimination, longer working hours without increased pay, and other problematic grievances. Warner Bros. launched a formal investigation into the matter at the time, though if anyone was fired or reprimanded, it wasn’t made public.

This morning, as the show began its new season after returning from summer break, Ellen herself had some things to say on the matter. While Warner’s investigators clarified at the time that none of the toxicity allegations were directed toward DeGeneres herself, she still felt personally responsible for such behavior occurring behind the scenes of her show.

“As you may have heard, this summer there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show and then there was an investigation. 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 that were affected. I know that I am in a position of privilege and power and with that comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show,” she said.

Today we’re starting a new chapter. pic.twitter.com/PvpZXnXLv5

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) September 21, 2020

DeGeneres went on to say that the necessary changes have already been made to the show’s workplace after numerous conversations with the producers, and that the new season would be the start of a “new chapter.”

In a spot of dry wit, DeGeneres joked about how her reputation as the “Be Kind lady” made the allegations more complicated. “Being known as the ‘be kind’ lady is a tricky position to be in,” she said. “So let me give you some advice out there if anybody’s thinking of changing their title or giving yourself a nickname, do not go with the ‘be kind’ lady. Don’t do it.”