Greyson Chance was just one of many young talents Ellen DeGeneres brought into the spotlight with her platform. After a video of him singing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” went viral, she invited the 12-year-old to her show and signed him to her record label. The Ellen DeGeneres Show was at its peak at that time, and Greyson shot to instant fame by appearing on it.
It seemed like a dream come true — a heartwarming and shiny story of a young boy’s talent being recognized by a powerful celebrity. However, Greyson Chance later revealed the dark things that went on behind the scenes. He described Ellen as a controlling and manipulative boss who dictated everything about his career and personal life.
Greyson Chance claims Ellen DeGeneres was manipulative – and then abandoned him
From the moment Ellen took Greyson under her wing, she had complete control over his career. According to him, she dictated everything, from what he wore to how he spoke. If she didn’t like something, it had to change. She would get angry if he didn’t meet her expectations, and when his music didn’t perform well, she allegedly abandoned him completely. He recalled how Ellen would suddenly stop responding to calls and messages, leaving him feeling lost and unsupported.
His mother, Lisa, also felt the pressure of Ellen’s influence. She described how their family was expected to be available at all times and follow whatever orders came from Ellen’s team. When things were going well, she was kind and supportive, but when Greyson’s music didn’t take off as expected, Ellen and her team pulled back. Lisa said they felt like they had been discarded, left to figure things out on their own after being built up so quickly.
Ellen DeGeneres’ former employees also accused her of being toxic
Greyson’s experience was similar to the accusations others had made about Ellen’s workplace toxicity. Former employees had described a similar atmosphere of fear and control, where Ellen’s mood determined how they were treated. Many accused her of being harsh behind the scenes, a stark contrast to the kind and funny persona she showed on TV.
Despite the tough years that followed, Greyson found his way back to music. In 2019, he made a strong comeback with his song “Shut Up.”