In a world where celebrity decisions can polarize nations, Ellen DeGeneres just made a huge statement: she’s leaving the U.S. for good. The beloved talk show host and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have decided to pack their bags and call the U.K. home, a move sparked by the aftermath of Donald Trump’s re-election. But this isn’t just a relocation; it's a profound commentary on LGBTQ+ rights and the future of acceptance in America.

While speaking with broadcaster Richard Bacon at the Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, DeGeneres opened up about why she and Portia felt compelled to make the switch. Their journey started right before the election, landing in the U.K. just a day before the chaos unfolded. “We woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis,” she shared, recalling the moment they learned Trump was re-elected. The pair quickly decided, “We’re staying here,” seeking a place they felt represented their values.

DeGeneres passionately expressed her love for the U.K., saying, “It’s clean. Everything here is just better — the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here.” This statement isn’t just about personal preference; it reflects a deeper concern about the political landscape back home, especially regarding the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

Highlighting the alarming push from Southern Baptists to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision on same-sex marriage, DeGeneres said, “The Baptist Church in America is trying to reverse gay marriage. They’re trying to literally stop it from happening in the future.” With lawmakers in nine states proposing measures that could undermine the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, DeGeneres and de Rossi are considering marriage in the U.K. as a safer alternative.

“I wish we were at a place where it was not scary for people to be who they are,” she lamented, calling for a society where acceptance is the norm rather than the exception. Her heartfelt sentiments resonate widely, especially as the U.K. grapples with its own challenges surrounding queer rights, recently highlighted by rising transphobia among political and public figures.

DeGeneres didn’t shy away from discussing the controversies that shrouded her show before its end in 2022. After nearly two decades of success, allegations of a toxic work environment and misconduct by top producers led to an internal investigation and significant changes. Reflecting on the aftermath, she expressed her frustration over being labeled “mean,” saying, “How dare us have any kind of mood?”

The emotional toll of these events leaves a mark, as she candidly acknowledged, “I hate that people think that I’m that because I know who I am and I know that I’m an empathetic, compassionate person.” It’s a stark reminder that public perception can distort our true selves.