This is Ellen, the queen of American talk shows, giving her graduation speech at Tulane University. It is definitely the most "irregular" graduation speaker in history! But her speech was absolutely thought-provoking!
In his speech, Allen talked about his experiences when his girlfriend was killed in a car accident when he was young, he was afraid that others would find out that he was a lesbian, and he faced unemployment after coming out. Her calmness and humor are admirable, and she encourages everyone to follow their passion and be their truest selves!
About Ellen Degeneres (Ellen DeGeneres)
Ellen DeGeneres was born on January 26, 1958 in a middle-class family in New Orleans. She is a famous American stand-up comedian, television host and actress. And Allen is the only host in history to have hosted the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and Emmy Awards.
In 1997, Ellen disclosed her homosexuality, but the ratings of her show have remained high and have not been affected. Allen's rumored girlfriends include two actresses, Anne Heche and Alexandra Hedison. She has a stable relationship with Australian actress Portia de Rossi and got married in California in 2008.
On March 16, 2009, Ellen's wife Portia appeared as a guest on the "Ellen Show" for the first time. She talked about their happy married life after getting married and played the "marriage game" while making lots of jokes. , and also allowed us to witness the two people's deep affection for each other.
The following is the full text of the speech (Chinese and English version):
Thank you, President Cowan, Mrs. President Cowen;distinguished guests, undistinguished guests -you know who you are, honored faculty and creepy Spanish teacher.
Thank you, President Cowan, Mrs. President Cowen, and Honorable guests, uh, distinguished guests, you know who you are, no introduction is needed (everyone laughs), I sincerely thank you all... and the annoying Spanish teacher (everyone laughs)
And thank you to all the graduating class of 2009, I realize most of you are hung over and have splitting headaches and haven't slept since Fat Tuesday, but you can't graduate 'til I finish, so listen up.
Thank you to all the graduates of the class of 2009, I know you Most of them still have a splitting headache because of their hangover, and they haven’t slept till today due to partying, but they can’t graduate until they finish listening to my speech, so listen up! (Students cheer)
When I was asked to make the commencement speech, I immediately said yes. Then I went to look up what commencement meant. Which would have been easy if I had a dictionary, but most of the books in our house are Portia's, and they're all written in Australian. So I had to break the word down myself, to find out the meaning.
When I was asked if I would come to deliver the commencement speech, I immediately answered: yes! …Then I looked up what “graduation ceremony” meant (everyone laughed). It would be much easier if I had a dictionary, but most of the books at home are from Portia (Ellen's wife, Australian) and they are all in Australian (everyone laughs), so... I have to explore by myself to find out the word. mean.
Commencement: common, and cement. Common cement. You commonly see cement onside walks. Sidewalks have cracks, and if you step on a crack, you break your mother's back. Sothere's that. But I'm honored that you've asked me here to speak at your common cement.
"commencement graduation ceremony": common + cement, common cement (everyone laughs) You often see cement on the sidewalk. There are cracks in the sidewalk. If you step on the crack, you will It broke your mother's back (everyone laughs), so that's about it (laughter)
I thought that you had to be a famous alumnus - aluminum - aluminum - alumis - you had to graduate from this school. And I didn' t go to college here, and I don't know if President Cowan knows, I didn't go to any college at all. Any college. And I'm not saying you wasted your time,or money, but look at me, I"m a huge celebrity.
But I am honored to be invited to give your "Common Cement" speech. I thought I had to be famous and an alumnus of your school to come... I didn't go to college here, I don't know if Mr. Principal knows that I never went to college... any college! I'm not saying you're wasting your time and money, but look at me, I'm a super successful celebrity! (Everyone burst out laughing)
Although! I did graduate from the school of hard knocks, our mascot was the knockers. I spent a lot of time here growing up. My mom worked at (? I guess it was the name of a store) and I would go there every time I needed to steal something out of her purse. But why am I here today? Clearly notto steal, you're too far away and I'd never get away with it.
In fact I spent many of my growing up years here, my mom was When I worked here, I used to come to her... whenever I wanted to steal money from her wallet (everyone laughs). But the reason I'm here today is obviously not to steal your money...
I'm here because of you. Because I can't think of a more tenacious, more courageous graduating class. I mean, look at you all, wearing your robes. Usually when you're wearing arobe at 10 in the morning, it means you've given up. I'm here because I love New Orleans. I wasborn and raised here, I spent my formative years here, and like you , while I was living here I only did laundry six times.
I am here because of you, because there are no better and braver graduates than you. Look at each of you, wearing your robe (bachelor's robe), usually we say that still wearing your robe (nightgown) at 10 o'clock in the morning means you have given up on life (everyone laughs). I'm here because I love New Orleans, I was born and raised here, spent my teenage years here, and just like you, I only did laundry six times when I lived here (laughter).
When I finished school, I was completely lost. And by school, I mean middle school, but I went ahead and finished high school anyway. And I - I really, I had no ambition, I didn't know what I wanted to do . I did everything from - I shucked oysters, I was a hostess, I was a bartender, I was a waitress, I painted houses, I sold vaccuum cleaners, I had no idea. And I thought I'd just finally settle in some job, and I would make enough money to pay my rent, maybe have basiccable, maybe not, I didn't really have a plan, my point is that, by the time I was your age, I really thought I knew who I was , but I had no idea. Like for example, when I was your age, I was dating men. So what I'm saying is, when you're older, most of you will be gay. Anyone writing this stuff down? Parents ?
I completely lost myself when I graduated from school, and by school I mean junior high school (everyone laughs), and then I went on to finish high school. At that time, I didn't have any ambition and didn't know what I wanted to do. I did everything, I dug oysters, was a waiter, a bartender, a waiter, painted houses, sold vacuum cleaners... I had no idea what I wanted to do.I just want to find a job to make a living and spend the rest of my life as long as I can afford the rent. I don’t have any plans at all. What I'm trying to say is, when I was your age, I really thought I knew myself, but I really didn't. For example, when I was your age, I was still dating guys (you guys) laugh). So what I mean is: when you grow up, most of you will be gay! (The audience burst into laughter, Ellen herself laughed too)
Anyway, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and the way I ended up on this pathwas from a very tragic event. I was maybe 19, and my girlfriend at the time was killed in a car accident. And I passed the accident, and I didn't know it was her and I kept going, and I found out shortly after that, it was her. And I was living in a basement apartment, I had no money, I had no heat, no air, I had a mattress on the floor and the apartment was infested with fleas .And I was soul-searching, I was like, why is she suddenly gone, and there are fleas here? Idon't understand, there must be a purpose, and wouldn't it be so convenient if we could pick up the phone and call God, and ask these questions.
In short, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life at that time, but in the end I found my life goal, but it was because of a very tragic thing. I was probably only 19 at the time, and my girlfriend at the time died in a car accident. I passed the scene of the accident and kept walking without knowing it was her. It wasn't long before I realized it was her. I was...living in a basement apartment with no money, no heat, and the house was infested with fleas. I was confused, wondering why she suddenly left and why I stayed in this situation again. I can't understand it, but there must be some reason. It would be great if you could just pick up the phone and call God to find out.
And I started writing and what poured out of me was an imaginary conversation with God, which was one-sided, and I finished writing it and I looked at it and I said to myself, and I hadn't even been doing stand-up , ever, there was no club in town. I said, "I'm gonna do this on the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson"- at the time he was the king - "and I'm gonna be the first woman in the history of the show to be called over to sit down." And several years later, I was the first woman in the history of the show, and only woman in the history of the show to sit down, because of that phone conversation with God that I wrote.
So I started to write something, and a conversation between me and God emerged in my heart, although it was just a monologue by myself. When I finished it, I read the script and said to myself, I said I'm going to do this on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson. Johnny Carson was the king of hosting at the time, and I told myself I was going to be the first woman in the history of the show to be invited to sit down with Johnny. Years later, I became the first and only woman in the history of the show to be invited to sit down and interview with him. Just because of the script I wrote about having a phone call with God.
And I started this path of stand-up and it was successful and it was great, but it was hard, because I was trying to please everybody and I had this secret that I was keeping, that I was gay. And I thought if people found out they wouldn't like me, they wouldn't laugh at me.
From then on, I started doing stand-up shows, which was very successful and very hard, because I wanted to please everyone and at the same time protect myself. For gay secrets. I think if people found out, they wouldn't like me.
Then my career turned into - I got my own sitcom, and that was very successful, another level of success. And I thought, what if they find out I'm gay, then they'll never watch, and this was a long time ago, this was when we just had white presidents - this was back, many years ago -and I finally decided that I was living with so much shame, and so much fear, that I just couldn'tlive that way anymore, and I decided to come out and make it creative. And my character would come out at the same time, and it wasn't to make a political statement, it wasn't to do anything other than to free myself up from this heaviness that I was carrying around , and I just wanted to be honest. And I thought, "What's the worst that could happen? I can lose my career". I did. I lost my career. The show was canceled after six years, without even telling me, Iread it in the paper. The phone didn't ring for three years. I had no offers. Nobody wanted to touch me at all.
Later I had my own comedy, which was also very successful and even more successful. So I was even more worried, what if others find out, will they stop watching my show? This was a long time ago. You may not know it, but it was back when our presidents were all white (everyone laughs). Eventually I decided... I had been living with shame and fear and I couldn't live like that anymore, so I decided to have the main character in the show come out at the same time as myself. Not for any political reasons or anything else, just to free me from a heavy shackles that I have been carrying for a long time, I just want...honesty! I don’t think anything worse will happen. Will I lose my acting career? As a result, I really lost it. After six years of running my show, it was discontinued without informing me. I only found out after reading the newspaper. The phone at home has not rang for three years. No one wants to ask me to do a show, no one wants to touch me.
Yet, I was getting letters from kids that almost committed suicide, but didn't, because of what I did. And I realized that I had a purpose. And it wasn't just about me and it wasn't about celebrity, but I felt like I was being punished... it was a bad time, I was angry, I was sad, and then I was offered a talkshow. And the people that offered me the talkshow tried to sell it. And most stations didn' t want to pick it up. Most people didn't want to buy it because they thought nobody would watch me.
Yet I got letters from gay kids who wanted to commit suicide, and they didn't because of me coming out, and I I realized that I have a purpose in this world. It was a painful time, I was cynical and sad. Later, someone asked me to do a talk show (today's Ellen Show). The production company wanted to sell the show, but most TV stations were unwilling to buy it.
Really when I look back on it, I wouldn't change a thing. I mean, it was so important for me to lose everything because I found out what the most important thing is, is to be true to yourself.Ultimately, that's what's got me to this place. I don't live in fear, I'm free, I have no secrets.and I know I'll always be ok, because no matter what, I know who I am.
When I think back When these past events happened, I didn’t want to change anything at all, even if I lost everything. Because I realized that the most important thing is to be honest with yourself. My choices allow me to live freely today, without fear or secrets. I know everything is okay because no matter what, I know who I am.
So In conclusion, when I was younger I thought success was something different. I thought when I grow up, I want to be famous. I want to be a star. I want to be in movies. When I grow up I want to see the world, drive nice cars, I want to have groupies. To quote the PussycatDolls. How many people thought it was "boobies", by the way? It's not, it's "groupies".
So this is not the conclusion to the conclusion, When I was young, I had a different definition of success. I think my ambitions were: I wanted to be famous, be a star, make movies, I wanted to see the world, drive a fancy car, have a group of best friends... (Ellen said in this paragraph It was so cool that everyone realized that it was actually the lyrics of a song by The Pussycat Dolls, so they laughed)
But my idea of success is different today. And as you grow, you'll realize the definition of success changes. For many of you , today, success is being able to hold down 20 shots oftequila. For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity, and not to give into peer pressure. to try to be something that you're not . To live your life as an honest and compassionate person. to contribute in some way.
But today my definition of success has changed. When you grow up, you will find this. For many of you, success is defined by being able to down 20 shots of tequila (laughter). To me, the most important thing in life is: live honestly! Don't force yourself to be someone you are not. Live with integrity, have compassion, and contribute in some way.
So to conclude my conclusion: follow your passion, stay true to yourself. Never follow anyone else's path, unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path, and by allmeans you should follow that. Don't give advice, it will come back and bite you in the ass. Don't take anyone's advice. So my advice to you is to be true to yourself and everything will be fine.
So this is the conclusion of the conclusion (everyone laughs) : Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, and never follow in someone else’s footsteps, unless you’re lost in the woods (everyone laughs). Don't give advice, don't take advice from anyone. So...my advice to everyone is (everyone laughs): Just be who you are and everything will be fine.
And I know that a lot of you are concerned about your future, but there's no need to worry. The economy is booming, the job market is wide open, the planet is just fine. It's gonna be great. You've already survived a hurricane. What else can happen to you? And as I mentioned before, some of the most devastating things that happen to you will teach you the most. And now you know the right questions to ask in your first job interview. Like, "Is it above sea level?" .
I know that many people here are worried about their future, but don't worry, the economy is growing rapidly, the job market is hungry for talent (everyone laughs), and the earth is also in great shape! (Everyone laughs) Everything will be fine. You have all experienced the storm, so what is there to be afraid of? As I said before: the most painful things teach you the most. For example, now you know what to ask the examiner for your first interview, such as "Is the company above sea level?" (Everyone laughed, New Orleans was flooded due to its low terrain)
So to conclude my conclusion that I've previously concluded , in the common cementspeech, I guess what I'm trying to say is life is like one big Mardi Gras. But instead of showing your boobs, show people your brain, and if they like what they see, you'll have more beads thanyou know what to do with. And you'll be drunk, most of the time. So the Katrina class of 2009,I say congratulations and if you don't remember a thing I said today, remember this: you're gonna be ok, dum de dum dum dum, just dance.
So... To sum up the conclusion of my "Common Cement" speech I just gave, I guess what I'm trying to say is, life is a carnival, remember to show your head, not chest....Graduates of the Class of 2009, I say congratulations! If you don’t remember anything I said today, please remember this: you’re going to be ok, dun-doom-doom-doom, just dance!
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