The 63-year-old daytime television host privately discussed her decision to sign off with ‘The Hollywood Reporter.’
According to DeGeneres, the show’s 19 seasons have been “fun,” but it's “just not a challenge anymore.”
"I’m a creative person, and when you’re a creative person you constantly need to be challenged … And as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it’s just not a challenge anymore. I need something new to challenge me." Ellen DeGeneres, to 'The Hollywood Reporter'.
She also revealed that her decision to end the show was actually several years in the making.
"I was going to stop after season 16. That was going to be my last season … we [settled] on three more years and I knew that would be my last. That’s been the plan all along." Ellen DeGeneres, to 'The Hollywood Reporter'.
Although she’s not sure what’s next, DeGeneres does know that her first challenge is to “sit still for a minute.”
"I don’t know how long I’ll be able to do that because I’m like a Ferrari in neutral. I’m constantly needing to go. So, that’s my first challenge and then I’m going to figure it out." Ellen DeGeneres, to 'The Hollywood Reporter'