Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan do cameos on 'Ellen'

DeGeneres sings with the Indigo Girls

January 7, 1998
Web posted at: 11:47 p.m. EST (0447 GMT)

(CNN) -- Ever since actress Ellen DeGeneres made television history by deciding to "come out" as a lesbian before a national audience, she has attracted the support of other stars, some of whom have appeared on "Ellen."

There was Billy Bob Thornton. And Oprah Winfrey and Emma Thompson.

In Wednesday night's episode of the ABC show, DeGeneres got a chance to do some applauding of her own. Musicians Sarah McLachlan and the Indigo Girls made cameo appearances when Ellen and her friends went to a Lilith Fair-type all-female concert.

CNN's Gloria Hillard reports 2 min. VXtreme video

"I didn't get to go to the Lilith Fair because I was traveling ... so I said, 'I'll bring them to me,'" DeGeneres explained.

Her decision to come out, along with her character on "Ellen," has proven to be a liberating experience, she said. And, it has proven that she has the support of many people -- not just artists like McLachlan and the Indigo Girls.

"It's great that I have a show on the air that has a lead gay character. I'm also gay, and people -- a lot of people -- embrace that," she said. "I think that's a really good sign."

DeGeneres missed the Lilith Fair female-concert tour last summer, so she invited the Indigo Girls and Sarah McLachlan to her show

Despite a continuing campaign against it by the religious right, future story lines will explore her character's sexuality, DeGeneres said.

"Right now, Ellen has not been gay for very long. She hasn't been aware of it, and she has to deal with it or else it would be very strange," she said.

Although this could be the last season for "Ellen," it is a time that feels like a new beginning for Ellen DeGeneres.

"I'm encouraged by signs every single day. I have a wonderful life, so I'm encouraged by my blessings," she said.

Correspondent Gloria Hillard contributed to this report.

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