She kept saying that she never gave advice. “Don’t advise, it’ll come back and bite you… Do not take advice from anyone. So my advice for you is to be true and all will be all right.

In her characteristic humorous style, Ellen DeGeneres, the TV host, and comedian talked at Tulane Commencer in 2009. “I immediately said yes when I was asked to speak at the beginning. Then I started looking at what the start meant, which would be easy if I had a dictionary, but most of our books are Portia’s, and all written in the Australian language. Then, to discover the meaning I had to break down the word,” she said.

“My idea of success is different today,” she added, reflecting on the past and how her thoughts have evolved. And as you progress, you’ll notice that your notion of success shifts. Today, success for many of you means being able to down 20 shots of tequila. The most important thing in your life, in my opinion, is to live your life with integrity, not succumb to peer pressure to pretend to be someone you’re not, to live your life as an honest and caring person, and to contribute in some way.”

She went on to claim that she never gives advice. “Don’t provide counsel; it’ll come back to haunt you… Don’t listen to anyone’s advice. So, my suggestion to you is to stay loyal to yourself, and everything will work out perfectly.