Sofia Vergara is hitting back at claims that Ellen DeGeneres mocked her accent during a 2015 appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
Earlier in the week, a clip resurfaced in which the actress and Ellen discuss a commercial they worked on for CoverGirl. The talk show host pointed out that producers gave Sofia the most complicated things to say.
"She has such a hard time pronouncing any of the ingredients," Ellen said of Sofia.
Many felt that Ellen was making fun of the Colombian star's accent. Sofia, though, was quick to defend Ellen.
"Two comedians having fun with each other to entertain. I was never a victim guys, I was always in on the joke," she wrote alongside the clip.
While the vast majority accepted Sofia's explanation, some were still displeased.
"My parents, who have heavy spanish accents, didn't have the option to be 'in on the joke,'" one person wrote, according to Page Six. "Instead, they were the butt of jokes. And as a child of immigrants, I was always picked on because of that. Your 'entertainment' may lead to some to think they have a free pass to ridicule."
Ellen has been a lightning rod of controversy of late as she battles allegations that she's demeaning toward staff and has created a toxic work environment.
There have also been reports that her show was on verge on being canceled as it grappled with low ratings — its lowest ratings ever, actually.
As allegations of less-than-flattering behavior poured in, WarnerMedia launched an internal investigation into conditions at "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." WarnerMedia, which owns Warner Bros. Television, the distributor of Ellen's show, sent a memo to staffers indicating that current and former employees would be asked about their experiences on set. The interviews will be conducted by WarnerMedia's employee relations group and a third party firm.
In an Aug. 17 video conference call with 200 staffers from her show, Ellen got emotional as she apologetically spoke to her team. She told employees she was "not perfect" and called the disturbing allegations that had been made about the show and its leadership "heartbreaking."
A source told People magazine that Ellen, who characterized herself as an introvert during the call, also told staffers, "I'm a multi-layered person, and I try to be the best person I can be and I try to learn from my mistakes. I'm hearing that some people felt that I wasn't kind or too short with them, or too impatient. I apologize to anybody if I've hurt your feelings in any way."