Ellen DeGeneres Announces Surprise Return: Everything Fans Need to Know

Ellen DeGeneres just gave fans two big reasons to talk: a dramatic hair makeover and a surprise signal that she and wife Portia de Rossi could be planting roots in Los Angeles again. The new brunette era Earlier this month, the 66-year-old comedian posted an Instagram reel from her countryside estate in the Cotswolds, trading the platinum pixie that defined her talk-show years for a softly shaded brunette crop with visible silver strands. While steering a riding lawn-mower, she joked, “Portia thought it would be fun to film my first time on the mower. She was right.” The playful clip quickly racked up millions of views and headlines worldwide, with USA Today noting that it is the first major style shift Ellen has shown since ending The Ellen DeGeneres Show three years ago. Possible move back to California Just days after sharing that lighter-hearted content, real-estate watchers noticed that the couple quietly pulled their last remaining U.S. property—a renovated, five-bedroom Los Angeles mansion once owned by designer Tom Ford—off the market. The $29 million estate had been listed and relisted since late 2024, fueling speculation that the pair were done with the California market. Now, its removal suggests a change of heart. The Economic Times reports that the reversal has insiders betting the duo may use the house as a West Coast base or even return stateside part-time. Why Ellen’s every move still trends • Built-in fanbase: With 128 million followers across social platforms, any personal update instantly goes viral. • Post-show curiosity: After the workplace-toxicity scandal and her 2022 daytime exit, viewers remain eager for signs of a comeback—or confirmation she’s staying semi-retired. • Celebrity house-flipping track record: Ellen and Portia have reportedly bought and sold more than 20 properties, turning real-estate moves into pop-culture events. What a stateside return could mean Industry insiders say an L.A. presence would make it easier for DeGeneres to pursue occasional on-camera projects without committing to a full-time production schedule. Streaming services continue to court her for limited series, and her Netflix stand-up special “For Your Approval” proved she can still command an audience. Meanwhile, Portia de Rossi’s art and design ventures benefit from proximity to U.S. collectors and media. Fans weigh in Reaction online has been overwhelmingly positive. Many praised the “age-positive” decision to ditch bleach, while others joked that a darker ‘do is perfect camouflage for a low-key Los Angeles comeback. Real-estate bloggers, on the other hand, are already estimating that holding the mansion through the 2026 World Cup tourism boom could add millions to its eventual sale price. Bottom line Between the headline-grabbing hair transformation and the unexpected real-estate pivot, Ellen DeGeneres has re-entered pop culture’s center stage—without a talk-show studio in sight. Whether the new look signals a permanent move back to Hollywood or simply a fresh chapter abroad, one thing is clear: every trim, tour, and property listing from the comedian still has the power to dominate the conversation—and search results.