Ellen DeGeneres became 'very insecure' after coming out as lesbian

Ellen DeGeneres had announced her sexual orientation in 1997.

American talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres had suffered from anger and depression after she came out. The Oscar host had announced her sexual orientation in 1997.

DeGeneres told the Mail on Sunday's You magazine: "Initially, [my coming out] was celebrated and I thought that this was the greatest thing because finally I was free, too. But then it just turned and I mean, turned. Obviously, worrying about what would happen afterwards is why it took me so long to come out."

"I was a very insecure person and depended on validation from people who watched my show or my stand-up – validation I felt I'd lose if everybody knew who I really was. Afterwards, there were jokes at my expense and I couldn't turn on the TV at night without some comedian or talk-show host making fun of me. Not for a minute did I regret doing what I did, but it was hard."

DeGeneres said:"There was a whole lot of anger and depression, and it was scary because I was also running out of money."

However, DeGeneres said right nowher career "couldn't be in a better place".

DeGeneres is now happily married to Portia de Rossi. The Finding Dory actress married the Australian-American actress in 2008.