Ellen DeGeneres’ Protégée Greyson Chance Accuses Her Of Being Manipulative & Opportunistic

Ellen DeGeneres is well known as a fun personality around the globe, thanks to her massively popular daytime television show. The show ended this year after 19 seasons, during this time the comic has earned quite a good reputation. However, it seems her former protégée Greyson Chance doesn’t hold her in high regard as others.

Chance appeared for an interview with Rolling Stone, where he spoke about his career and reflected on the role the American comedian played in his life. He claimed that DeGeneres took advantage of him whenever she could. “I have never met someone more manipulative, more self-centered, and more blatantly opportunistic than her,” he said.

The Oklahoma native shot to fame with DeGeneres’ help at age 12 when his video of performing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” went viral. Since then the comedian took him under her wing but it turns out, Greyson didn’t like how he was treated by her. He also claimed that when the two first met, the comic said to him, “I’m going to protect you. I’m going to be here for you. We’re going to do this together.”

Chance remembered the comedian assuring his mother that he would never have to work again. Only to be abandoned by her later on. DeGeneres was instrumental in obtaining him deals with managers and record companies, but he claims she became extremely controlling and aggressive after he began touring.

My whole week, my whole month, my whole year could change [with] one text message from her. That was horrible. If she had an opinion of any sort, the whole thing changed. She would come in and look at a rack, yell at stylists, berate people in front of me and say, ‘This is what you’re wearing on the show.’ She was just degrading to people.

Chance also discussed an occasion in which he was weary from doing a show and did not watch a documentary that the comic had requested. He said she took her rage out on his mother. On the other hand, he was all praise for his musical idol, Lady Gaga.

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