Former Bachelorette star Ali Fedotowsky-Manno recently opened up about her disappointing experience with comedian Ellen DeGeneres. During a recent episode of Kaitlyn Bristowe’s podcast Off the Vine, Fedotowsky-Manno recounted the nuances of her feelings after appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show back in 2010, stating she felt like “instead of laughing with me, she was laughing at me.”

When reminiscing about the encounter, Fedotowsky-Manno expressed that while DeGeneres wasn't overtly unkind, she left her feeling “stupid.” She reflected, “It’s not that she was mean per se. She just made me feel stupid. I don’t think she’s a bad person,” acknowledging that a grueling daily routine could contribute to such interactions. Furthermore, she noted, “I was trying to be, like, funny and personable,” but didn’t receive the desired rapport during the segment.

Fedotowsky-Manno has appeared on DeGeneres’ show multiple times, particularly during a peak in her reality TV fame. However, this particular experience tainted her perception of the comedian. DeGeneres has stepped away from her long-running show as of 2022 amid controversy regarding her workplace environment, which sparked considerable media attention in 2020 when allegations of a toxic atmosphere surfaced, including accusations of intimidation and misconduct against her staff members.

Despite the challenges, Fedotowsky-Manno also contrasted her DeGeneres experience with a more positive encounter she had with actor Tom Hanks, describing him as “so kind and so nice” and jokingly suggested to him, “Will you adopt me?” This was indicative of the strong connections that can thrive in the entertainment industry, unlike her interaction with DeGeneres.

While DeGeneres returned to public life with a Netflix special titled Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, feedback surrounding her humor towards the surrounding controversies has been mixed. Many still reflect on the impact her conduct has had on her career and reputation. Fedotowsky-Manno’s comments shed light on how artists operate within a high-pressure environment, indicating the complexity of celebrity interactions. You can listen to her full comments on the podcast, available for listening here.