Rosie O’Donnell on the Day Her Friendship With Ellen Fell Apart

4 snips

Sep 7, 2025

Rosie O'Donnell, a beloved actress, comedian, and activist, shares her journey through fame's ups and downs. She candidly reflects on the emotional fallout of her friendship with Ellen DeGeneres, revealing feelings of betrayal and the impact on her career. Rosie opens up about growing up without her mother and navigating early romantic experiences with vulnerability. With humor, she discusses Australian slang and details her recent acting role. Throughout, Rosie emphasizes the importance of personal connections and the legacy of caring for others.

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ANECDOTE

Mother's Death Shaped Her Life

Rosie describes losing her mother at age 10 and how her family erased her memory, leaving Rosie with a childlike image of her mother.
She recounts being unable to say "mom" at home and having only three photos, which shaped her desire to become a mother.

INSIGHT

Overprotecting Creates Fragility

Rosie recognises she parented from an 11-year-old's ideal, avoiding discipline and smoothing pain for her children.
That overprotection left them less prepared to handle adulthood's small setbacks.

ANECDOTE

Family As Purpose

Rosie explains she adopted many children because losing her mother made family the central goal of her life.
She says parenting filled the void and motivated her to build a large, close family.

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Rosie O’Donnell has lived almost every version of life in the spotlight. From her breakout in Hollywood alongside Tom Hanks and Madonna, to her groundbreaking daytime talk show that redefined television, Rosie was one of the most famous women in America.

But with fame came ridicule, public feuds, and moments that cut deeply. She’s been celebrated, mocked, and at times turned into the punchline of her own story. And one of the most painful moments came when Ellen DeGeneres told the world they weren’t friends.

In this conversation, Rosie is raw, funny and reflective. She speaks about growing up in the shadow of losing her mother, her shy first attempts at romance, the highs and lows of talk show success, and the very public feuds that made headlines. She shares what it was like to be blindsided by Ellen’s rejection, and why that moment stayed with her. And yes, she even talks about her recent return to our screens in And Just Like That.

Rosie O’Donnell has lived a big, messy, fascinating life — and in this episode, she tells it all.

You can follow Rosie O'Donnell here.

Rosie O'Donnell is bringing her show, Common Knowledge to Australia in October. More information and tickets here.

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CREDITS:

Guest: Rosie O'Donnell

Host: Kate Langbroek

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Bree Player

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Video Producer: Josh Green

Recorded with Session in Progress studios.

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