Ellen DeGeneres: Beloved Host Turns TV Terror Behind The Scenes

Ellen DeGeneres likes to promote her sweetheart-next-door image, but The National ENQUIRER has learned the "Queen of Nice" is actually a behind-the-scenes tyrant who terrorizes her staff!

“Ellen’s public image is that of a sweetie who’s nice to everyone and is a real pussycat,” a source spilled. “But when the cameras aren’t rolling, she treats staffers as if they’re her peasants!” The host allows only a few people to even speak to her, and staffers are expected to turn their backs when she walks by, dished an on-set spy.

“No one is allowed to engage Ellen in conversation or even look her in the eye!” the mole snitched. “She doesn’t even brief the staff about the show anymore!” Insiders said her ego is so out of control that when a producer was recently asked if she’d support a charity, he said, “Ellen doesn’t work with charities. She is a big charity!”

The star — whose estimated net worth is a staggering $360 million — is also very manipulative, according to on-set insiders. “She picks and chooses people to be nice to when it’s to her advantage,” the insider spilled. “She’ll invite some staffers to fun outings and purposely exclude others to create tension, jealousy and hurt feelings.”

What’s more, Ellen is an absolute perfectionist who explodes over the tiniest things, tattled another source. “One time, a loose thread was hanging off her slacks. Ellen noticed it when she was about to go on air and started screaming about how no one had told her,” said the source.

“Then, instead of just tearing off the thread, Ellen demanded a whole new pair of slacks! Staffers never know what she’ll go off on, or who she’ll target. It’s like walking on eggshells.”

Trouble in Ellen’s marriage to Aussie beauty Portia de Rossi can also trigger an eruption, sources said. “If she’s going through a rough spot with Portia," an insider snitched," people really have to duck and cover!”