Following her affair with Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche believes she was blacklisted by Hollywood.
On Monday, the actress spoke with Page Six about the career consequences of being in a same-sex relationship with DeGeneres from 1997 to 2000.
“This wasn’t a long-term love affair,” she remembered. “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.”
She also stated that she “didn’t do a studio picture for ten years” as a result of the relationship, which became public after they attended the premiere of her film Volcano in 1997 as a couple.
“I was fired from a $10 million picture deal and did not see the light of day in a studio picture,” Heche said.
Before the controversial premiere, Heche was already in discussions to star alongside Harrison Ford in the big-budget romance comedy “Six Days, Seven Nights.”
She went on to state that Ford was supportive of her during the tough time, even adding that he doesn’t mind who she sleeps with. He did remind her, though, that they are working on a romantic comedy and that they should “make it the best one that’s ever happened.”
Despite having appeared in hundreds of television episodes and films over the years, the actress is clearly proud of her role in challenging social norms – even if it did put her career in jeopardy for a while.
“Those repercussions that happened,” she explained, “are to me what has created a part of the change. I’m a part of it. It is a badge of honor.”
Reactions to Anne Heche's Career After Dating Ellen
Dear Anne Heche , leave Ellen alone and go get a life.. CLOWN
Dear Anne Heche , leave Ellen alone and go get a life.. CLOWN
— Jane_Roberts (@jane101roberts) October 26, 2021
I thought it was due to the public breakdown she had after the breakup
I thought it was due to the public breakdown she had after the breakup
— jaded1121 (@jpbeadles) October 26, 2021
I can see this happening
I can see this happening
— 💨💨msmazzymay💨💨 (@ms_mazzymay) October 26, 2021