Actress Anne Heche has alleged that she was “blacklisted” by Hollywood after striking up a romance with tv host, Ellen DeGeneres in the 90's.
Heche who dated DeGeneres from 1997 to 2000 made the claim in an interview with Page Six, adding that she was made to feel like “patient zero in cancel culture".
She said;
“This wasn’t a long-term love affair.
“This was a moment in my life when I was given the glory of being able to stand up for what I believe in and have since I was a kid.”
Heche, 52, famously made headlines when she invited DeGeneres, 63, as her date to the 1997 premiere of “Volcano.”
The actress who noted that her decision to invite DeGeneres was “about living in loving-kindness", remembered that the repercussions were swift and harsh due to the nature of the times.
She said;
“I didn’t do a studio picture for ten years.
“I was fired from a $10 million picture deal and did not see the light of day in a studio picture.”
One movie that Heche was already in talks to do before the infamous premiere was the big-budget romantic comedy “Six Days, Seven Nights” opposite Harrison Ford. According to her, it seemed the studio didn't want her again for the role after going public with Ellen.
She also recalled how she was home one morning with DeGeneres when Ford, 79, called with an important message.
Heche said;
“He said, ‘Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn who you’re sleeping with.
“’We have a romantic comedy to make. Let’s make it the best one that’s ever happened.’”
“That is why Harrison Ford is my hero. To stand behind me at such a time when the force of what I was standing up for could have been toppled.”
The actress who shares son Homer, 19, with ex-husband Coleman Laffoon, and son Atlas, 12, with her former “Men in Trees” co-star James Tupper, added that she is proud of what she sees as her role in changing societal norms even if it derailed her career for a bit.
She added;
“Those repercussions that happened, are to me what has created a part of the change. I’m a part of it. It is a badge of honor.”
