Ellen DeGeneres sparked concern on Tuesday as she returned to the U.S., stepping out in Montecito with wife Portia de Rossi.
The 67-year-old TV host looked noticeably thinner, fueling rumors about a dramatic weight loss.
The couple’s return from their English countryside escape surprised fans, as they had moved to the UK just a year ago to avoid what they called the ‘perils’ of Donald Trump’s America.
The Mail on Sunday recently reported Ellen and Portia were ready to flee the UK’s cold, gloomy Christmas weather and head back stateside to be with friends and family.
Ellen also debuted her signature blonde locks again, swapping the gray roots she had embraced over the past year.
But it was her frail frame that drew the most attention on Tuesday, leaving fans worried about her health after the high-profile move.
Ellen DeGeneressparked concern on Tuesday as she returned to the U.S., stepping out in Montecitowith wife Portia de Rossi
The 67-year-old TV host looked noticeably thinner, fueling rumors about a dramatic weight loss; (pictured in June 2023)
Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from reps for Degeneres.
The star kept things low-key, rocking a gray-printed shirt layered under a dark navy blazer and classic denim jeans.
She finished off the look with comfy sneakers and a blue cap perched atop her freshly blonded hair, giving off relaxed California vibes.
Portia matched the casual mood, opting for a cozy cream sweater and loose-fitting blue jeans as the couple strolled side by side.
Despite the laid-back attire, all eyes were on Ellen, whose petite frame was on full display.
The shocking outing comes after Portia introduced a new four-legged friend to the family.
Last week, the former model shared photos of the couple’s newest addition, who joins their dog Sport, the puppy they welcomed in October.
The December arrival of the unnamed pup shows the pair quickly bonding, with both dogs clearly enamored with each other.
But it was her frail frame that drew the most attention on Tuesday, leaving fans worried about her health after the high-profile move
Despite the laid-back attire, all eyes were on Ellen, whose petite frame was on full display
Ellen’s Tuesday appearance caused concern among fans; (pictured September)
De Rossi cheekily captioned the puppy carousel, ‘Lady and the Tramp’.
Among the photos were rare glimpses of her family — including her seldom-seen brother Michael Rogers — suggesting the couple may still be ringing in the festive season across the pond after all.
In one snap, de Rossi is seen standing outside the cozy countryside cottage alongside Michael, what appears to be his wife Casey, and their daughters.
She captioned the sweet family moment, ‘Family visit in the Cotswolds…’
While there is still time for DeGeneres and de Rossi to hop on a flight back to California in search of sunshine, the couple appear to be soaking up the festive cheer just fine for now.
That said, The Mail on Sunday reported that DeGeneres has privately told friends they plan to spend more time stateside because they ‘miss their friends’ and dread facing another British winter.
A source said: ‘Ellen was adamant that she and Portia were going to stay in the UK while Trump was in the White House, but evidently she’s changed her mind somewhat.
‘She’s been telling friends they are coming home soon because they miss them and can’t take the winters over there, and Portia wants to act again. They will be here for the holidays and longer by the sound of it.’
Ellen posed with her brother recently, showing off her natural hair
The couple, who married in 2008, originally settled at Kitesbridge Farm in Swinbrook, Oxfordshire, before listing the 43-acre estate for $22.5 million in July.
They later relocated to a sprawling hilltop mansion with enough land to accommodate horses — a must-have for the former actress, who is an avid rider.
DeGeneres previously explained the move, saying: ‘When we decided to live here full time we knew that Portia couldn’t live without her horses. We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.’
The property also offers plenty of space for their dogs — puppies Sport and Jinx, along with older dog Kid.
Despite appearances of settling in, a source insisted the California pull remains strong.
‘Ellen was very clear that they’re coming back to California sooner rather than later. They miss the warm weather and their friends.’
A source close to the presenter later denied that any move back to America would be permanent.
The couple appeared to be adapting well to country life, however, having been spotted at local watering holes including Jeremy Clarkson’s Farmer’s Dog in Burford and The Falkland Arms in Great Tew.
DeGeneres previously explained the timing of their relocation, saying: ‘We got here [to the UK] the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, ‘He got in’. And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here’.’
Meanwhile, de Rossi’s close bond with her brother Michael stretches far beyond holiday visits.
Mortgage documents and property records obtained by the Daily Mail reveal that DeGeneres and de Rossi have loaned millions to their respective brothers to help them purchase luxury homes in California.
In 2015, DeGeneres assisted her only sibling, older brother Vance DeGeneres, 69, when he and his wife Joanna bought a three-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Sherman Oaks for $1,439,000.
Records show the couple took out a loan for the full amount from Ellen and Portia, agreeing to repay the mortgage with interest. The contract states they will ‘keep said property in good condition and repair’.
The couple were reportedly even more generous with de Rossi’s brother.
In May 2019, Michael and his wife Casey purchased a four-bedroom, four-bathroom Santa Barbara home with a pool for $4.9 million.
Documents show Ellen and Portia loaned them $4,905,420.75 — nearly the full purchase price — under similar terms, with the interest rate and loan length undisclosed.
Michael is co-founder of the art company General Public, which uses 3D-printing technology to create artwork.
The Mail on Sunday reported last week that DeGeneres has privately told friends they plan to spend more time stateside because they ‘miss their friends’ and dread facing another British winter; (Cotswold homes pictured)
According to the company, it aims to make art more accessible and works with more than 5,000 artists worldwide.
De Rossi has previously spoken candidly about how her relationship with her brother deepened following a personal betrayal involving her ex-husband, photographer Mel Metcalfe, who left her for Michael’s then-wife Renee Kappos.
In her 2010 memoir Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain, she wrote: ‘When Mel left me and Renee suddenly sabotaged her marriage to my brother to be with Mel, Brother and I were left idiotically scratching our heads in disbelief.’
She continued: ‘When my husband left me, my brother moved into my place… My husband ran off with his wife, so we kept each other company and we liked to go out for margaritas and Mexican food to commiserate.’
De Rossi divorced Metcalfe in 1999 and later said the marriage helped her come to terms with her sexuality.
‘By the end of our first year together, despite my desire to be attracted to him, my latent fear of my real sexuality was simmering and about to boil. I was almost positive I was gay. So I married him.’
She later met DeGeneres in 2000.
The two began dating in 2004 and married on August 16, 2008, in an intimate ceremony at their Beverly Hills home.
