Ellen DeGeneres seen with Kevin Hart amid toxic workplace claims

Ellen DeGeneres met up for a very public lunch with pal Kevin Hart amid allegations of toxicity at her talk show.

Ellen DeGeneres was spotted on Saturday with pal Kevin Hart, shortly after the Jumanji actor defended the embattled star amid allegations of toxicity behind the scenes on her talk show.

Dressed in a printed navy blue top, beige cargo pants and sandals, DeGeneres, 62, lunched with Hart, 41, at the Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito, California, where she was seen sipping white wine while chatting with Hart, who wore a light blue shirt and matching shorts.

Ellen DeGeneres seen having lunch with Kevin Hart. Picture: P&P/MEGA

Ellen DeGeneres leaving lunch. Picture: GAC/MEGA

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Earlier this month, Hart joined a chorus of celebrities – including Katy Perry, Scooter Braun, and Diane Keaton, among others – voicing support for the talk show host, who has recently come under fire over claims that she created a toxic work environment.

Former Ellen staffers have also accused top executives at the show of sexual misconduct.

“It’s crazy to see my friend go thru what she’s going thru publicly (sic),” Hart posted to Instagram in early August. “I have known Ellen for years and I can honestly say that she’s one of the dopest people on the f***ing planet. She has treated my family and my team with love and respect from day one. The internet has become a crazy world of negativity …. we are falling in love with people’s downfall. It’s honestly sad … When did we get here?

Ellen gives Kevin Hart a hug. Picture: Clint Brewer Photography/BSB/Backgrid

Ellen and Kevin. Picture: Clint Brewer Photography/BSB/Backgrid

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“I stand by the ones that I know and that I love,” he continued. “Looking forward to the future where we get back to loving one another …. this hate sh*t has to stop. Hopefully it goes out of style soon …. This post is not meant to disregard the feelings of others and their experiences …. It’s simply to show what my experiences have been with my friend. Love you for life Ellen.”

Last month, WarnerMedia launched an internal investigation in response to the claims. DeGeneres later addressed the allegations in a statement.

“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t,” DeGeneres wrote. “That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”

Ellen DeGeneres is fighting to save her reputation. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission