American comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres has revealed she’s been diagnosed with osteoporosis, obsessive compulsive disorder and ADHD.
She revealed the news in her new stand-up Netflix special Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, telling the audience that she took a “stupid bone density test” at the recommendation of her doctor. Later finding out that she had “full-on osteoporosis”.
DeGeneres however made light of the situation by describing herself as like “a human sandcastle”, jokingly saying that she “could disintegrate in the shower”.
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According to the National Institutes of Health, osteoporosis is a “bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decreases, or when the structure and strength of bone changes”.
She revealed to the audience of what led to her diagnosis, saying: “I had excruciating pain one day and I thought I tore a ligament or something, and I got an MRI and they said, ‘no it’s just arthritis.’ I said, ‘how did I get that?’ And he said, ‘oh it just happens at your age’.”
The comedian went on to admit it was “hard to be honest about ageing and seem cool”.
The 66-year-old also shared information about her OCD and ADHD diagnoses, which she discovered after attending therapy following “hatred” from fans.
The former talk show host broke her silence in her new show to address the controversies that led to the abrupt end of her daytime show, which ran for nearly two decades following allegations of a toxic workplace culture.
In July 2020, ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was rocked by toxic workplace accusations including bullying, racial insensitivity and allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour by former producers.
The host later issued an apology to her staff and an on-air apology during the premiere of the show’s 18th season in September 2020.
In 2021, DeGeneres announced to the public that her show would be ending after its 19th season.
During the special, she also discusses the drama surrounding her public image, in particular how she went from being “the ‘be kind’ girl”, to now being labelled as the opposite.
The comedian recognises her flaws, saying she “can be demanding and tough” but insists to the world that she’s “not mean”.
‘For Your Approval’ is Ellen’s final comedy special of her career, opening up to the world about her experience with fame, parallel parking and her life since getting “kicked out of show business”. The show premiered on Netflix on September 24.