Comedian Kevin Hart is the latest star to publicly defend Ellen DeGeneres amid controversy over an alleged toxic environment on her talk show.
DeGeneres is one of the most high-profile figures on US TV but is facing calls to quit her popular daytime chat show following accusations senior staff had been bullying and intimidating on set.
Hart has now shared a public message of support for DeGeneres, saying the internet has "become a crazy world of negativity".
The Jumanji star wrote on Instagram: "It's crazy to see my friend go thru what she's going thru publicly. I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she's one of the dopest people on the f****** planet.
"She has treated my family and my team with love and respect from day 1. The internet has become a crazy world of negativity....we are falling in love with peoples down fall. It's honestly sad...When did we get here? I stand by the ones that I know and that I love.
"Looking forward to the future where we get back to loving one another....this hate sh*t has to stop. Hopefully it goes out of style soon...."
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DeGeneres's wife Portia de Rossi also took to social media in support of her partner on Tuesday, posting on Instagram to say "I stand by Ellen".
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Singer Katy Perry said she "only ever had positive takeaways" on the show.
"I know I can't speak for anyone else’s experience besides my own but I want to acknowledge that I have only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen & on the @theellenshow.
"I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought to the world through her platform for decades," she posted on Twitter.
1/2 I know I can't speak for anyone else’s experience besides my own but I want to acknowledge that I have only ever had positive takeaways from my time with Ellen & on the @theellenshow. I think we all have witnessed the light & continual fight for equality that she has brought
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) August 4, 2020
Last week, WarnerMedia and the production company Telepictures announced they were launching an investigation into the workplace environment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Over the weekend, DeGeneres apologised to staff following recent allegations that her show has a toxic workplace environment.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which has won 61 Daytime Emmy Awards, has been a mainstay of US daytime TV since 2003.
