Advertisement

JC Penney Sticks By Ellen DeGeneres Amid Backlash

08:18
Download Audio
Resume
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." (AP)
Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." (AP)

Ellen DeGeneres took time on her popular talk show yesterday to talk about something she rarely mentions, being gay.

She was responding to the conservative group — One Million Moms — which has been taking a stand against JC Penney's recent pick of DeGeneres as their new spokesperson.

Here's what she had to say:

"This organization doesn't think I should be the spokesperson because I'm gay. So for those of you just tuning in for the first time, it's true. I'm gay. I hope you were sitting down. I hate to break it to you this way. So they wanted to get me fired, and I am proud and happy to say that JC Penney's stuck by their decision."

DeGeneres went on to list her values, which included being kind, and pointed to comments from conservatives on the Million Moms website who support her.

JC Penney hired DeGeneres as part of a major makeover involving the elimination of countless sales promotions and generally making the 110-year old store a hipper place to shop. The retailer says they will keep DeGeneres on as spokesperson.

Guest:

  • Danielle Douglas, reporter for the Washington Post

This segment aired on February 9, 2012.

Advertisement

More from Here & Now

Listen Live
Close