SEPARATE LIVES
As wife Portia de Rossi embarks on a second career, a bitter Ellen DeGeneres feels utterly left in the dust
As Portia de Rossi focuses on her new start-up, wife Ellen Degeneres is feeling jealous and neglected.
When Portia de Rossi appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last May to announce she’d quit acting to focus on a new business venture in the art world, Ellen could not have seemed any more supportive. “I’m just so proud of her,” the host gushed. “She’s so talented, and she’s created something that’s really, really special.”
But a little over a year later, Ellen is singing a differ
ent tune. Life & Style has exclusively learned that the pair are fighting more than ever as the retired Arrested Development actress, 46, continues to focus on her start-up, General Public. “Portia’s been pouring her heart and soul into her company, and this is the first time she’s been consumed by something that has nothing to do with Ellen, or Ellen’s career,” says a source. And now Ellen, 61, is “acting jealous and incredibly demanding.” So much so that it’s tearing the couple — who wed in August 2008 — apart. “They’re barely on speaking terms at this point,” admits an insider, “and are pretty much leading separate lives.”
BREAKING POINT
Ellen’s become desperate for Portia’s attention. “When Portia’s working, she has to put her phone on silent because Ellen calls constantly,” reveals the insider. “She’s determined to keep track of Portia’s every move and will complain if she’s home late and question what she’s done throughout the day.” The overbearing behavior has led to some brutal arguments over the past few months, says the insider: “There have been times when Portia has asked Ellen to leave their house so she can have some space.”
Now friends are worried about what the future
holds for the once-happy duo. “They put on a united front in public,” says the insider, “but they’re discussing counseling to save their marriage.”
Portia could use Ellen’s support — sooner rather than later. She’s already under a ton of pressure to get General Public, which re-creates and sells works of art, off the ground. “She really wants the company to be a success, and it’s been an uphill battle,” says the source. After spending years putting Ellen first, she’s ready for the tables to turn. “Portia’s taken jobs here and there,” says the source, “but she always worked around Ellen’s schedule and needs.” Pals are hopeful her spouse will step up. “Ellen knows she can be unreasonable, she’s just having trouble adapting to the changes,” the insider adds. “Ultimately, she really wants to support Portia and her career.”