Ellen DeGeneres, renowned for her decades-long career as a comedian and talk show host, recently found herself grappling with a challenge far removed from the bright lights of Hollywood: mowing the lawn. A humorous Instagram video, captured by her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, provides a glimpse into DeGeneres’s inaugural experience with a ride-on lawnmower at their new home in the U.K. The video, captioned "Portia thought it would be fun to film my first time on the mower. She was right," offers a lighthearted perspective on the everyday trials and tribulations of adapting to a new environment.
The video opens with a promising start, showcasing DeGeneres skillfully maneuvering the lawnmower across a flat section of her verdant lawn. The on-screen text "How it started" playfully sets the stage for the ensuing comedic turn. However, the idyllic scene quickly transitions as DeGeneres encounters a more demanding incline. The caption shifts to "How it ended," revealing the comedian struggling to ascend the hill, necessitating assistance from an individual pushing the mower from behind. De Rossi’s suppressed laughter, audible in the background, underscores the humorous nature of the situation.
The relocation of DeGeneres and de Rossi to the U.K. first garnered attention in November 2024, following the election of Donald Trump as president. The couple reportedly sold two of their properties in Montecito, California, in August 2024 and March, respectively, solidifying their move abroad. A source close to the couple disclosed to People magazine that DeGeneres had been actively searching for a home in England in early October, ultimately finding a property that captured her heart.
Subsequent to the news of their move, DeGeneres and de Rossi were spotted with friends at The Farmers Dog in the Cotswolds, a picturesque region in the English countryside. While the exact location of their U.K. residence remains undisclosed, rumors suggest that they have settled in the idyllic English countryside.
DeGeneres is not alone in her decision to leave the United States following the 2024 presidential election. Comedian Rosie O’Donnell shared in a March 2025 TikTok video that she had relocated to Ireland on January 15, five days before Trump’s inauguration. O’Donnell explained that, despite never envisioning herself living in another country, she felt it was the best course of action for herself and her young child.
O’Donnell expressed missing her older children, friends, and various aspects of her life in the United States. She conveyed her efforts to establish a new home in Ireland, stating that she would consider returning to America "when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there."
In an April interview with US Weekly, O’Donnell expressed surprise at DeGeneres’s purported reason for leaving the country. O’Donnell stated, "I’ve never really known Ellen to say anything political in her life, so I was surprised to read that she left because of President Trump. Like, that shocked me, actually. I’ve been a political person my whole life. Not better or worse. It’s just a different way to be in the world. I was very clear about the reason why I was leaving, and I don’t think it came as a surprise to anyone. We’re not really in each other’s worlds, and it’s been kind of awkward, but you know what? I wish her the best. I wish that she has peace and love in her life and that she is OK."
The contrast between DeGeneres’s seemingly apolitical stance and O’Donnell’s outspoken activism highlights the diverse motivations behind personal decisions to relocate. While O’Donnell explicitly cited political reasons for her move, DeGeneres’s motivations remain less explicitly defined.
Whether driven by political concerns, a desire for a change of scenery, or a combination of factors, the move of DeGeneres and de Rossi to the U.K. marks a new chapter in their lives. The Instagram video of DeGeneres’s lawnmowing endeavor offers a glimpse into their adaptation to a different lifestyle, filled with both challenges and moments of levity. The video serves as a reminder that even celebrities encounter everyday hurdles and find humor in unexpected situations. The move itself sparks conversation about societal and political climates that impact personal choices and preferences. The reactions and comments from other public figures, like O’Donnell, further add layers to understanding the complexities of these decisions. Ultimately, the article provides a peek into the private lives of public figures and how they navigate changes and challenges in their personal journeys.
