Key Takeaways
- Megyn Kelly shares her experiences with celebrities who left a bad impression on her, including Jane Fonda, Bruce Willis, Al Roker, and Ellen DeGeneres
- Kelly recalls a tense 2017 interview with Fonda, where Fonda took issue with being asked about plastic surgery
- Kelly describes Bruce Willis as "unpleasant" during a 2006 interview, and criticizes Al Roker for being different off-camera than on-camera
- Kelly also shares positive experiences with celebrities, including Milo Yiannopoulos, Russell Brand, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Jada Pinkett Smith
- Kelly has become a conservative media voice and outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump after leaving NBC in 2019
Introduction to Megyn Kelly’s Experiences
Megyn Kelly, a veteran television and media personality, has opened up about her encounters with various celebrities throughout her career. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Kelly has had the opportunity to interview and interact with numerous famous individuals. However, not all of these experiences have been positive. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Kelly named several celebrities who she claims left a bad impression on her, including Jane Fonda, Bruce Willis, Al Roker, and Ellen DeGeneres.
The Tense Interview with Jane Fonda
One of the most notable examples Kelly cited was her 2017 interview with Jane Fonda on Megyn Kelly Today. The interview became tense when Kelly asked Fonda about her plastic surgery, which Fonda took issue with. According to Kelly, Fonda had previously discussed her plastic surgery publicly, but still became offended when Kelly brought it up during the interview. Kelly explained that she had been advised by Robert Redford’s publicist to avoid discussing Fonda’s sex scenes with Redford in the movie Our Souls at Night, which Fonda was promoting at the time. However, Fonda reportedly wanted to discuss the sex scenes and became upset when Kelly didn’t pursue the topic.
Disappointing Encounters with Bruce Willis and Al Roker
Kelly also recalled a disappointing interview with Bruce Willis in 2006, during her time at Fox News. According to Kelly, Willis seemed "unhappy to be there" and was "so ungiving, so ungenerous" during the interview. Kelly acknowledged that Willis is currently struggling with dementia, but still described the experience as "unpleasant." Additionally, Kelly criticized Al Roker, a staple on the Today show, for being different off-camera than on-camera. Kelly joked that if her mother met Roker, she would quickly become like Larry David, who famously clashed with Alan Dershowitz on Martha’s Vineyard.
Criticism of Ellen DeGeneres
Kelly also shared a negative experience with Ellen DeGeneres, claiming that a producer on DeGeneres’ talk show had told her that employees were instructed to look down at the floor if they encountered DeGeneres in the hallway. Kelly stated that she knew this before the bullying scandal broke, and was not surprised by the allegations. Kelly described DeGeneres as "a bad person," citing her alleged treatment of employees as evidence.
Positive Experiences with Celebrities
Not all of Kelly’s experiences with celebrities have been negative. She named several individuals who she has had positive interactions with, including Milo Yiannopoulos, Russell Brand, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Kelly described Yiannopoulos as a "total charmer," and praised Brand for being "completely warm." Kelly also expressed gratitude towards Gifford, who she said was "nice to me during what was one of the most unpleasant years of my life." Additionally, Kelly shared that she has struck up a friendship with Tommy Vietor, a cohost of Pod Save America, and described Jada Pinkett Smith as "so sweet" and "sincere."
Conclusion and Current Career
Megyn Kelly has become a prominent figure in conservative media, and has been an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump. After leaving NBC in 2019, Kelly launched her own SiriusXM podcast and radio show, The Megyn Kelly Show. Kelly’s experiences with celebrities, both positive and negative, have likely contributed to her perspective and approach to her work in the media industry. Despite the challenges and controversies she has faced, Kelly remains a prominent and influential voice in American media.