ELLEN DEGENERES AT "POWER OF WOMEN" CONFERENCE IN TORONTO

Ellen DeGeneres in Toronto - August 2011

"I never remember my dreams, but this one was so vivid. I saw a bird in a beautiful cage which after being trapped for a while, I realized the bars were actually wide enough for it to fly out" says Ellen DeGeneres, reflecting on a dream she had one night in 1997 before her career-changing decision to out herself as a Gay Woman. "I don't belong in a cage".

Making a rare appearance in Toronto, Ellen DeGeneres headlined the Power of Women Conference at Metro Toronto Convention Centre before a crowd of 4,000 people - predominantly Women - some paying $229, some paying up to $1,500 for a chance to meet her. Not all were lucky enough to have their Photo taken with her however due to time constraints. The Award-winning Comedienne-turned-National Darling revealed a more candid side to her that we don't normally see on her syndicated Daytime Talk Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, now in its ninth season.

Once starring in the top-rated Sitcom, Ellen, she approached her Team about the idea of having her character coming-out as a Gay Woman and understandably they didn't want this to happen for fear of  alienating their audience. After "coming-out" publicly on The Oprah Winfrey Show, followed by her own character doing the same shortly thereafter on the Series, DeGeneres admits to having been depressed. "I lost everything for three years. I had no money, was getting no work and nobody wanted to represent me", she admits openly. "Every time I turned on the Television I was the butt of someone's jokes. My Therapist then told me to stop watching Television...  I did a lot of crying during that time in my life.".

SUZANNE SOMERS AT "POWER OF WOMEN" CONFERENCE IN TORONTO

Suzanne Somers & Alan Hamel in Toronto - August 2011

"Even a 30 year-old who doesn't get enough sleep will look whacked-out.  You stay younger longer when you sleep eight hours a night," says Suzanne Somers before a crowd of 4,000 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  The Power of Women Conference landed in Toronto, luring Actress/Health Advocate Somers to the City to spread her knowledge on Healthy Living, after having last visited in January 2011 for her latest Book, Sexy Forever.  See Photos here from her last visit.

"Cancer was a great gift to me," she reveals.  The Illness had forced her to change her Lifestyle completely after having battled Breast Cancer victoriously ten years ago.  "It taught me to start eating Organic.  Yes, I realize eating Organic is more expensive, but being sick is even more expensive.  We need more Elders of our Tribe again.  This World is a crazy place.".

Somers, dressed befittingly in a glittery silver number, encouraged the Audience to be more aware of their Hormones.  "Hormones keep you healthy and every time you make a choice not to be healthy, sleep enough or be active, you are turning-off switches in your body.".

Before heading-off, the gorgeous 64 year-old proudly brought her Toronto-born Husband Alan Hamel out on-stage with her, showing him off to the Ladies as they joined hands and then exited together.

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