In a recent interview with Hollywood Reporter, Ellen Pompeo got extremely candid about everything from her paycheque to why she didn’t even want to audition for her iconic Grey’s Anatomy role.
Grey’s Anatomy has been one of the ABC Network’s highest performing shows since its 2005 release and still is almost 13 years later. Regardless, in Pompeo’s interview, she opened up about how she hadn’t always had the faith in the show that she has today.
She explained that she remembers thinking that “I knew I was f*****d” during that time, as she belived she was destined to become a movie star. Pompeo also revealed the only reason she even took the audition was to pay rent.
Although she definitely doesn’t feel that way now with the season 14 mid-season premier of Grey’s Anatomy airing Jan. 18, her becoming dramatic television highest paid actress and her pact for season 15 and 16 of Grey’s Anatomy.
“As a woman, what I know is you can’t approach anything from a point of view of ‘I don’t deserve’ or ‘I’m not going to ask for because I don’t want other people to get upset,’ ” show creator Shonda Rhimes says. “And I know for a fact that when men go into these negotiations, they go in hard and ask for the world.” when asked about Pompeos pay negotiations.
“Decide what you think you’re worth and then ask for what you think you’re worth. Nobody’s just going to give it to you.” – Rhimes’ advice to Pompeo
But Pompeo herself touched on the subject in her interview, saying she felt that when her co-star and long-term love interest Patrick Dempsy left Grey-Sloan Memorial, she then felt that it was time for her to negotiate a new deal, because they no longer had Dempsy as leverage. She told Hollywood Reporter, “They could always use him as leverage against me — “we don’t need you; we have Patrick” — and she definitely achieved her goal.
Following her interview, Pompeo received immense support from fellow actors for speaking publicly about what is usually only said behind closed doors. Many actors took to Twitter to give her love.
Everybody needs to read THIS article. @EllenPompeo is a brilliant badass.https://t.co/P93q1zx4gL
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 17, 2018
This article is so badass. A must-read for all young women, especially artists/actors/writers/creators. https://t.co/okX7vQskur
— Jenna Fischer (@jennafischer) January 17, 2018
Although her interview is not the only way she has made waves recently; she recently went on a huge Twitter rant condemning Woody Allen, who has been accused of multiple counts of sexual assault.
https://twitter.com/EllenPompeo/status/949453736736309250
https://twitter.com/EllenPompeo/status/949454332809723905
https://twitter.com/EllenPompeo/status/949455357062991875
https://twitter.com/EllenPompeo/status/949457310505582599
