Is Ellen DeGeneres running from more than just the Hollywood spotlight with her latest getaway plans? The former U.S. talk show host, now nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds of Oxfordshire, seems to be packing her bags for a strategic two-week escape next month, just as Vice President JD Vance and his family roll into the same affluent region.
The Daily Mail reported that DeGeneres, who relocated to the UK with her wife Portia de Rossi last year, is reportedly timing her August hiatus to sidestep an awkward encounter with Vance, who’s set to rent a cottage in the Cotswolds with his wife Usha and their three young children.
Let’s rewind a bit to set the scene. DeGeneres and de Rossi made their move to Oxfordshire, a haven for high-profile figures like the Beckhams and even former Prime Minister David Cameron, seeking a quieter life away from the American hustle.
Now, just as they’ve settled into this elite rural escape, another big name is encroaching on their turf.
Vance, a staunch conservative voice, isn’t just passing through—he’s eager to soak up the local charm at The Bull at Charlbury, a favored haunt of DeGeneres herself.
She’s even been spotted there with pop star Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field, making it a personal hotspot. Yet, the idea of bumping into Vance over a pint seems to be a bridge too far for the comedian.
So, what’s driving this sudden urge to bolt? Sources suggest DeGeneres is keen to avoid any uncomfortable small talk with the Vice President, whose political stance likely clashes with her well-known progressive leanings. It’s less about personal animosity and more about dodging a moment that could spark unwanted headlines.
Now, let’s not pretend this is just about a pub meetup gone wrong. The Cotswolds isn’t exactly a sprawling metropolis—chance encounters in such tight-knit, upscale circles are almost inevitable. DeGeneres’s decision to jet off for half a month raises eyebrows about whether she’s overreacting to a simple scheduling overlap.
On the other hand, one can’t fault someone for wanting to keep their peace in a world where every interaction is fodder for social media outrage.
If DeGeneres feels a brief hiatus is the best way to maintain her rural serenity, that’s her prerogative, even if it does come off as a tad theatrical. Still, it’s hard not to smirk at the image of two public figures playing a game of geographical cat-and-mouse.
Meanwhile, Vance and his family are likely just looking forward to a quiet holiday, exploring the same rolling hills and cozy villages that drew DeGeneres in the first place.
There’s no indication they’re hunting for a showdown at The Bull or anywhere else. Perhaps this is more about DeGeneres’s discomfort with the current political climate than any real threat of confrontation.
Let’s not forget the backdrop of her UK move, which came right on the heels of significant political shifts back in the States. “We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis,” DeGeneres recalled. That raw reaction hints at why she might be extra wary of crossing paths with a figure like Vance.
She didn’t stop there, adding, “And we're like, 'We're staying here then.'” That quip, dripping with resignation, suggests a deeper disillusionment with America’s direction—hardly a surprise given her public persona. But while she’s quick to plant roots abroad, one wonders if fleeing every conservative shadow is a sustainable strategy.
Speaking of roots, DeGeneres isn’t fully committed to her Cotswolds idyll just yet. Last week, word broke that she’s offloading one of her two properties in the area for a cool £22.5 million, a hefty £7.5 million profit over what she paid. That’s not exactly the move of someone planning to hunker down long-term.
Is this sale tied to her getaway timing or just a savvy business decision? The optics of cashing in while seemingly dodging a political figure don’t scream “small-town neighborliness.” It’s a reminder that even in quaint Oxfordshire, big money and bigger egos still call the shots.
At the end of the day, the Cotswolds remain a magnet for the rich and famous, a place where ideological differences are bound to collide over tea and scones.
Vance’s visit, innocent as it may be, underscores how even a family vacation can be politicized in today’s hyper-charged atmosphere. DeGeneres’s response, while understandable on a human level, risks amplifying that divide.