The 'Ellen DeGeneres Crying' meme captures various moments of vulnerability from the talk show host, most notably during her final episode or public apologies. While many of these instances were originally televised as genuine emotional milestones, the internet culture transformed them into a versatile reaction tool. It is frequently used to mock performative remorse, express exaggerated sadness over trivial daily inconveniences, or satirize celebrity culture. Its popularity surged during the 2020-2022 period as users applied the template to signify 'white girl tears' or ironic disappointment, turning a somber television moment into a staple of digital sarcasm and relatable humor.