Oscar winner Octavia Spencer showed her love and support for embattled daytime talk show hostess Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday.
Spencer, 50, posted a B&W throwback high school photo of DeGeneres on her Instagram account. In the lengthy caption, she wrote:
“Sending love and support to Ellen and all of the employees of her show. All of my interactions with everyone from the show including ELLEN were supportive and fun! In that spirit I am praying all involved get the love and support they need.”
Spencer updated her post after the comments went left, as her followers objected to the actress and other Black stars rushing to 62-year-old DeGeneres’ defense.
“UPDATE: lively debate happening in the comments. I welcome that. I also believe that all of the voices of her employees need to be heard. Past and present. Speaking truth to power is the only way change happens. My truth is everyone was kind to me. From the PAs to the producers. So yeah! I want all of those people to feel valued and heard. And no, people are NOT always kind to talent! #AllVoicesNeedToBeHeard #beyekindonetoanother”.
Spencer is one of the most decorated Hollywood actresses. Her list of accolades includes an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. She is one of two Black women to receive three Oscar nominations and two consecutive nominations.
Spencer is the latest Black star to defend DeGeneres publicly. Comedian Kevin Hart, who was nearly canceled for old homophobic statements, was among the first to show his support.
DeGeneres’ set DJ, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, broke his silence to show love to his boss.
Boss is pictured with his wife, dancer Allison Holker, daughter Weslie Fowler and son Maddox Laurel Boss.
“We can’t speak too much legally about it, but I’ll say this, there’s been love,” the 37-year-old dancer, told Us Weekly.
“Obviously there’s some things to address, but from my standpoint and from countless others, there’s been love. I’ll just leave it at that until there’s a time where we can address more publicly. There’s been love and there will continue to be love.”
There are unconfirmed reports that DeGeneres’s daytime talk show is canceled amid reports that she ignored harassment and racism on her show.
