Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, are facing unexpected challenges in their new life in the United Kingdom. The couple, who purchased an $18 million farmhouse in the scenic Cotswolds last October, have encountered resistance from locals and are struggling to adapt to their new surroundings.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s UK struggles
Sources reveal that DeGeneres and de Rossi are being treated as American invaders by the locals, leading to a deeper funk than before. Their plans to remodel their property have been met with opposition, with locals expressing concerns about the potential impact on the area. One insider noted that the locals are cranky over their plans to modernize the property and would prefer to see them move out. Many residents can trace their family tree back over a thousand years and do not take kindly to outsiders disturbing the peace.
The couple has been clashing with neighbors over a new home extension, which has raised concerns about increased flooding and the disturbance of Roman remains. An insider explained that while DeGeneres has done complete overhauls on properties in the United States, the process is much more complex in the UK, with strict planning laws and detailed applications. It could take months, or even longer, before they can get their home fixed up the way they want it.
Social challenges and career setbacks
DeGeneres and de Rossi’s grand visions of hobnobbing with the elite in the UK also seem to be floundering. A source confided that the couple had high expectations when they moved to the UK, looking forward to socializing with celebrities like the Beckhams and Elizabeth Hurley. However, the people who matter to them are not calling.
The former talk show host was reportedly fed up with Hollywood after the stigma from her toxic workplace scandal refused to fade away. Her desperate comeback bid, the Netflix comedy special For Your Approval, flopped, with critics calling her unapologetic, unrelatable, and insufferable. DeGeneres and de Rossi sold their 11,530-square-foot Montecito mansion to mining mogul Robert Friedland for $32 million last year before heading overseas. The move was partly motivated by the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president, prompting the couple to seek refuge in the UK.
However, sources now say they may be second-guessing their decision. One insider revealed that DeGeneres is wondering if they made a terrible mistake, as she had hoped to escape the negativity in the US and find a better life in the UK. Instead, the couple is facing new challenges and struggling to find their place in their new community.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.