Greyson Chance talks out about being “abandoned”Ellen DeGeneres, his former mentor, gave the musician his claim of fame when she hosted him. “The Ellen Show” after his rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi”YouTube video went viral in 2010.
“I’ve never met someone more manipulative, more self-centered and more blatantly opportunistic than her,” Chance Rolling StoneNoting that the host “completely abandoned him”In 2012, he began the next phase of his career.
After taking on Chance as somewhat of a protégée, DeGeneres set him up for excellence in what Chance’s mom called “a big explosion.”He received $10,000 and a new keyboard from the host.
“I remember her pulling my mom aside and saying, ‘You’re never going to have to work again a day in your life,’”Chance said that he told the publication and added that DeGeneres had spoken to his mother. “I’m going to protect you. I’m going to be here for you. We’re going to do this together.”
DeGeneres, however, was an important part of the successful journey. “domineering and way too controlling,”Chance explained to Chance that she had been a “hidden eye”Over his entire career. “My whole week, my whole month, my whole year could change [with] one text message from her,”He recalled an incident in which DeGeneres had initiated a complete overhaul of a performance, after having not approved.
This need for control even extended to Chance’s wardrobe, including insisting that he could not wear leather. “She would come in and look at a rack, yell at stylists, berate people in front of me and say, ‘This is what you’re wearing on the show,’”He said. “She was just degrading to people.”
However, DeGeneres’ behavior shift in Nov. 2012, when the singer’s “Truth Be Told, Part 1” didn’t do as well as expected. DeGeneres stopped listening to the musician’s stacked team, managers, publicists, and DeGeneres. “completely abandoned”He even ignored his calls.
Even though Chance returned to the show in 2012, the tides had definitely changed. “She wouldn’t even ask, ‘How are you doing? How are you holding up?’ It was just like, ‘Here’s what we’re going to talk about. We’ll see you on there,’”Chance.
Chance appeared on “The Ellen Show”Over 12 times, including 2019 to market a new song even though Interscope had dropped the artist and his entire team.
Sources on Degeneres’ team said that Chance’s claims were not the experience they had with the singer, explaining that Chance did not make any complaints during that time and continued to appear on the show ahead of launching new projects. They also suggested Chance may be taking advantage of the opportunity to vent his frustrations before the release of his new album.
Chance, despite his accusations against DeGeneres’, has nothing but positive words to say about Lady Gaga as a mentor. “she has been there for me in the ways that Ellen never was”And that she “always kept her door open to me.”
He remembered meeting her at her Monster Ball Tour years earlier, and she telling him. “I need you to have fun while you’re doing this. You’re 12 years old.”
Lady Gaga representatives did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
He reflected back on his career at 25 and said that he owes “a lot of thanks to her and to that team.” But the reason why I’m here today talking about an album, I owe f—ing nothing to her,” he concluded.