Ellen Degeneres Photos & Pics Archive

During an appearance to promote his new film Old Dogs on Ellen, John Travolta teared up when talking about the tragic passing of his son, Jett, and how proud he is of daughter Ella, who appears in the film and on the talk show with him today.

"I just want to take one moment to thank each and every one of you throughout this country, through out the world for all your support and all your love for our family," Travolta told Ellen. "Thank you very much."

And when talking about what it was like to work with Ella, 9, who makes her acting debut in his new film, he needed a tissue. You are so proud of her, aren't you?" Ellen asked. "I'm holding back the tears...," Travolta responded, accepting a Kleenex from the host.

John and Ella's new film, Old Dogs, premieres in theaters November 25th.

Photo credit: Michael Rozman

New American Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres took Portia de Rossi to Madeo for a romantic evening out on Friday. True love! Are they the only happy Hollywood couple out there? Okay, I guess there's Brangelina. But you know these two are happier!

Those smiles are like rays of sunshine!

Although an ability to sing is not a pre-requisite for becoming a judge on American Idol, Ellen Degeneres told X17online yesterday that she was getting her voice in shape for the show.

We caught her out tooling around town with Portia in a new Porsche (bought with Idol money, no doubt.)

The premiere is still several months away, but we cannot wait to see how Ellen changes the vibe on the panel!

Ellen has hit out at critics who claim she isn't qualified to fill pop-star Paula's shoes as the new judge on American Idol.

"I know there is a lot of chatter," Ellen said during a taping of her show. "I thought America had moved past this. First, we have the first African American President. We've sworn in our first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. I think American Idol is ready for their first blonde judge."

Ellen went on to say, "I'll tell you right now, how I know I'm going to be a great judge. I've spent my whole life being judged. So I know what it's like." She quipped. "So I will be kind. I will be compassionate. I will be empathetic, and I will be truthful. I will be an honest judge without being mean."

Sounds like she's just the antidote to Simon that Idol needs!

We caught up with Ellen DeGeneres doing some home shopping yesterday at the Pacific Design Center and our videographer asked the newly-appointed American Idol judge what she thought of her predecessor Paula Abdul's impersonation of her at the VH1 Divas concert in New York on Thursday night.

Ellen told X17online exclusively: "I thought it was hilarious - very, very funny." Girl's gotta have a sense of humor -- it's what made her famous!

Yesterday we caught Ellen DeGeneres at the Pacific Design Center picking up some plants and various other items for her home, and the new Idol judge seemed a bit surprised about all the photogs sneaking around snapping her picture. I know she's a huge star (heck, she's got over 3 million followers on Twitter), but it looks like landing this latest gig is going to make her even more popular than she already is!

Even though Paula Abdul rocked a short blonde wig and did her very best impression of Ellen DeGeneres at the VH1 Divas Live concert last night, Ellen didn't mind the mockery one bit!

While the act was funny at first, we kinda wish the show had focused more on performers like Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Hudson than Paula and her need for attention. Whatevs though...Ellen seemed to find it downright funny! She tweeted:

"Paula- you’re hilarious. You’ve left me some big shoes to fill…unfortunately I don’t wear high heels. Nothing but love for you too."

Sooo...when's the new American Idol judge gonna show us her Paula impression? Perhaps she'll do a Simon one too?

Oh Paula! Is poking fun at Ellen REALLY the smartest move right now? Sure it was funny for the first 10 seconds, but then we felt kinda sorry for you, and we'd love to know what your American Idol replacement thinks of this whole stunt! Then again, it sure is a great way to stay relevant!

Paula Abdul hosted and opened VH1 Divas last night, and even though Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson and Sheryl Crow took the stage, it was Paula's impression of Ellen DeGeneres that stole the show. It's all about Paula, right?

After dancing her way up onto the stage and plopping down in a chair, Paula quickly said, "All kidding aside, nothing but love Ellen and I wish you the best of luck, and congratulations on your new gig," but we really have to wonder if she means it. Paula added, "And call me....you gotta call me if you have any Simon problems, because I know him best!" Aww cute, but you know what we really want to see? Ellen's impression of Paula! Think she'd ever go there?

Anyway, the new generation of divas took the stage last night night, and in addition to J Hud, Miley, Sheryl and Kelly, Cyndi Lauper, Liza Minnelli, Leona Lewis, Adele, Jordin Sparks and India.Arie also appeared. Jennifer sang a duet with music legend Stevie Wonder, who she calls her “childhood hero," and all of the ladies appeared to be having a great time onstage at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Jennifer Aniston debuted her pipes on The Ellen Degeneres Show yesterday in advance of her role in the all-girl prison band musical The Goree Girls, currently in pre-production.

If I'm being honest, Jen wasn't that great - but certainly good enough to star in a movie-musical (if we're judging by Mamma Mia standards), but Ellen said she'd put Jen into the next round on Idol!

Well, maybe if they ever have an over-40 Idol, Jen will have her chance to be called "pitchy" by Randy and be chewed out by Simon!

Like something out of a Grey Poupon ad, Simon Cowell graciously rolled down the window of his Rolls while leaving his mansion for a trip to London, but instead of asking for some mustard, he answered a few questions for photogs!

Simon had no comment on whether or not he'd spoken to Paula since they named Ellen Degeneres the fourth judge, but when we asked if he thought Ellen would replace him as the tough guy on the panel, he said "Yes!"

Now, we're sure that's just British sarcasm as work - anyone who's seen Ellen's turn as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance knows that she's going to keep Paula's tradition of nurturing the contestants rather than breaking them down like Simon!

X17 photographers snapped Ellen DeGeneres and wifey Portia de Rossi shopping in Beverly Hills today, and when we asked the newest American Idol judge what we could expect from her on the show she said, "I'm going to be the meanest judge you'll ever see!"

Wait, what?! We HOPE she's kidding, but it would be kinda funny to see Ellen outdo Simon in the cattiness department! Ellen added that she was going to be so mean that she was "going to turn into another person!" Think she has it in her?

After the news broke that Ellen DeGeneres would officially replace Paula Abdul on American Idol, we all wondered how the former Idol judge would take it. Would she flip out in front of photogs? Stay in her house all day and stuff her face with Oreos and cry herself to sleep?

Despite pretending to be busy for the past few days (and posting tweets like, "going into the gym. I am in need of a good work out" and "Heading to the big apple today. Rehearsal, Rehearsal, Rehearsal! Divas is readily approaching") Paula FINALLY tweeted her congrats to Ellen with the following message:

"I think Ellen will b a gr8 judge on Idol. She is wildly funny, talented and I wish her the best of luck!"

Now what took her so long?! Maybe her manager kept her away from TVs and computers for the past few days and broke the news to her gently?

Woah! We adore Ellen and this is awesome news, but it totally took us by surprise!

Fox made the official announcement today that Ellen DeGeneres has signed on to replace Paula Abdul as the fourth judge on American Idol. Ellen will join fellow judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi this January.

At a taping for The Ellen DeGeneres Show today, Ellen assured her fans that she's not leaving her daytime talk show. "I'm going to have a day job and a night job. This is so exciting for me!" Ellen continued, "I've been dying to tell everyone...it's just been so hard to keep it a secret and we just finally got the okay and I'm so excited. It is going to be so much fun."

In a statement released today, Idol creator/EP Simon Fuller said he believed Ellen's "love of music and understanding of the American public" would bring "a unique human touch to our judging panel." Hey, we totally agree...what do you guys think about this decision? Does it matter that Ellen's not a Grammy winner or a former Spice Girl?

Haha! This is one of the many reasons why we LOVE Ellen DeGeneres!

Yesterday afternoon, Victoria Beckham went to the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank, and Ellen unveiled a massive banner outside of the studio with her head superimposed over Posh's in one of the couple's steamy Emporio Armani ads.

No word on how Victoria reacted when she saw this, but we're sure she got a chuckle out of it! Or perhaps she made a face like this:

Ellen and Portia headed to Madeo for a quick bite before the Teen Choice awards, where Ellen took home the Choice Twit Award.

The prolific tweeter accepted the award with a flip vid cam, saying "Over two and half million of you are following me, and I still don't know where we're going. I found out a lot of you are following each other. So apparently we're in a big circle."

And that's not all Ellen has to smile about, she and Portia are set to celebrate their first wedding anniversary on August 16th.

Congrats!

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi enjoyed a romantic dinner at Madeo last night, and the lovebirds looked like they were still on their honeymoon as they left the restaurant.

Awww, if only all Hollywood couples were this friendly with the paps!

The happy couple wed on August 16th, 2008 and X17 was the first to spot Mrs. and Mrs. DeGeneres out and about the Monday after!

After the big wedding, we were shocked to find Ellen and Portia out and about in West Hollywood with Portia's mom! Guess there was no honeymoon?

It's not as if they really need one; just one look at their smiling faces and it seems like the honeymoon's already begun!

And don't forget the friendly chat we had with the newlyweds, too... When asked how they feel, Portia shouted "amazing!" and Ellen said "married!" - aww! So sweet.