ENGLISH SPEECH | ELLEN DEGENERES: Be True To Yourself (English Subtitles) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Ellen DeGeneres shares her personal journey of self-discovery and overcoming adversity, urging the Katrina Class of 2009 to be true to themselves.

Key Insights

• 😀 Ellen DeGeneres emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity or societal expectations.
• 🏛️ She encourages the graduating class to follow their passion and not be swayed by the opinions or pressures of others.
• 😚 DeGeneres shares her experience of losing everything and how it ultimately led her to discover her purpose in helping others.
• 🫒 The talk outlines the value of integrity, honesty, and compassion in living a successful and fulfilling life.
• 😯 Ellen DeGeneres humorously reflects on her upbringing and experiences growing up in New Orleans during her speech.
• 👻 She highlights the significance of learning from difficult experiences and allowing them to shape one's perspective and resilience.
• 😀 The talk acknowledges the challenges faced by the Katrina Class of 2009 while instilling confidence in their ability to overcome adversity.

Transcript

Thank you, President Cowan, Mrs. President Cowen; distinguished guests, undistinguished guests, you know who you are, honored faculty and creepy Spanish teacher. And thank you to all the graduating class of 2009, I realize most of you are hungover and have splitting headaches and haven’t slept since Fat Tuesday, but you can’t graduate ’til I finish... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Ellen DeGeneres to become a comedian?

Ellen DeGeneres was inspired to become a comedian after writing an imaginary conversation with God following a tragic event in her life. This sparked her desire to make people laugh and led her to perform stand-up comedy.

Q: How did Ellen DeGeneres's decision to come out as gay affect her career?

Coming out as gay was a difficult decision for Ellen DeGeneres, as she feared it would lead to the loss of her career. Unfortunately, her sitcom was canceled, and she faced rejection and a three-year hiatus. However, she received countless letters from individuals who found hope and inspiration in her courage.

Q: What does Ellen DeGeneres believe is the key to success?

According to Ellen DeGeneres, the key to success is living with integrity, being true to oneself, and not succumbing to peer pressure. She believes that success is not defined by fame or material possessions but by living an honest and compassionate life.

Q: How did Ellen DeGeneres find her true purpose in life?

Ellen DeGeneres found her true purpose in life when she started helping others and making a positive impact. Through her talk show, she became a source of inspiration for many individuals facing hardships. This realization brought her a sense of fulfillment and allowed her to embrace her true self.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ellen DeGeneres reflects on her own life, from not attending college to becoming a successful comedian and talk show host.

• She emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, even in the face of fear and societal pressures.

• DeGeneres shares her experience of coming out as gay and the impact it had on her career, ultimately leading to her finding her true purpose in helping others.