When I was 15, I changed my name legally. I think it was largely due to my struggle about being gay. Everything just didn't fit, and I was trying to find things I could identify myself with, and it started with my name.

She became a US citizen in September 2011. In 2009 and 2010 de Rossi played the high-strung and controlling Veronica Palmer on the ABC show Better Off Ted. She also portrayed Veronica Palmer on the ABC sitcom Better Off Ted and Olivia Lord on Nip/Tuck.

: /ˈpɔərʃə də ˈrɒsi/) is an Australian actress best known for her roles as lawyer Nelle Porter on the television series Ally McBeal and Lindsay Fünke on the sitcom Arrested Development. Portia Lee James DeGeneres (born Amanda Lee Rogers; 31 January 1973) known professionally as Portia de Rossi (pron. She also portrayed Veronica Palmer on the ABC sitcom Better Off Ted and Olivia Lord on Nip/Tuck.