Ellen Pompeo: Pick Me, Choose Me, Pay Me More (Full Episode)

What is up, Daddy Gang? It is your. founding father, Alex Cooper, with Call. Her Daddy. Ellen Pompeo, welcome to Call Her Daddy. Thank you so much for having me. I was. just saying this to someone before you. got here. I have interviewed so many. people in my career now. Hands down, I have never gotten. starstruck. I'm a little starstruck. right now. I am a huge fan. Cute. Thank.

you so much. I'm a fan of yours, too, what you're doing. Your daughter is here today. She is. She. is in the Daddy Gang. You have to just. like lightly tell the story of how this. came to be, because I am I love her. right now. I'm like, you are an OG. Thank you for getting your mom on the. show right now. Tell us everything. Okay, so I was driving, and sometimes, you know, she's in the car, and I'll. have her look at my messages when they. come through, because I can't look when. I'm driving. So, she says, "Oh, you got an email from. Lee, my publicist, and Mom, Mom, you got.

invited on Call Her Daddy.". And I was like, "I did?" And she said, "Yeah." I said, "Well, well, I can't I. can't I can't do that, because because. the the Daddy Gang doesn't know who I. am, because I'm like 105." And. you know, and so and so she was like, "Mom, are you kidding me right now? First of all, Alex follows you on. Instagram, Mom. She's a fan. She watches. Grey's Anatomy. She loves you. You're. doing this." And of course, like every.

mother with a 15-year-old, whatever they. say, I do. So, I was like, "Oh, really? She follows me? That's so cool. I'm. cool. I was I felt so cool." So, I was. like, "Let's do it. Let's do it." And. she was like, "I'm responding to your. publicist, and I'm letting them know.". And so, she did, and then they said, "Stella, you're hired.". Stella walks in here, and her. confidence, she literally just said to. me right before, she's like, "I. responded to the publicist. I told her. we're doing it." I'm like, "You are such. a mini of your mom." That is like she's. her energy was amazing. I'm so grateful.

to her. I'm so happy we're here. Um. okay, are you a strict parent or like. how what's the vibe? Are they sneaking. out? Are they not sneaking out? How's it. going? They are not sneaking out. I will break. their fingers. I am very strict. I'm super intense. I'm. a Scorpio. How would you describe. yourself in three words? Uh I think. bossy, um empathetic, and passionate. You grew up outside of. Boston, right? Do you still have any of that Boston.

accent? If can you bring it back? Wait, are you kidding me? You can't hear. it? No. Have you ever spent any time in. Boston? Yes, I went to college there. My mom's. from Boston. Stop it. Where is she from? Lol. Yes. Wait, where did you go to college? Boston University. Good for you. So pack the car and have a. yard. Pack the car. I didn't go to. university. I was working at [ __ ]. Dunkin' Donuts, hon. I love that for you. Um yes, I have and. my husband's from Boston, also. So, Okay, there's I I'm constantly trying to. not sound like I have a Boston accent.

if you needed to, you could pull it out. Oh, it's it's I always feel like it's. there. I hear it, but you may not hear. it as much, but I could pull it out in. two seconds. Okay. Maybe it will come out today. Who. is the most famous person in your phone? Ooh. Ooh, that's a good question. Uh. uh. DiCaprio? The way you just said that. Even like just like not even you're not. even sure. You're like maybe DiCaprio?

I mean, he's pretty iconic. Just a little bit. Yeah. But his dad is in my phone, too. And it listen, the the man, the myth, the legend. George is where Leo came. from. So, in my opinion, you know, no. diss to Leo. He knows I love him, but. George is the real OG. I mean, hearing. you say the name George just literally. brought me back to like season 1 2 3 4. Okay, we're going to get there. Um your. fans are obviously so die hard and by. fans I mean me literally sitting in.

front of you right now. What is the. craziest fan interaction you've ever. had? You know, I. it's I don't think I've had like any. really crazy inappropriate ones, but. they're all. pretty impressive when they say, you. know, I'm a pediatric oncologist because. of you or I'm a pediatric neurosurgeon. because of you. You know, there's a lot. of people that have gone into medical. careers, which, you know, pediatric. oncology. I mean, are you kidding me?

That's like how do you do that every. day? No. It's that's truly God's work. So, I. I think I've never gotten like a weird. I've never gotten any weirdos. No, more. like inspiring. Yeah. Do people see you. on the street and call you Meredith? All. the time. Yeah. Not so much in LA. I. think LA everyone's used to actors. You. know, it's it's more other places. What. is the wildest rumor you've ever heard. about yourself? Oh, that's super easy. There was like. this ridiculous like I had six toes or.

some [ __ ] like that. It was like Yo, tabloids used to be so crazy. You What? Listen, you ladies have it easy because. back before the phones and Instagram and. TikTok and all this new media, there used to be tabloids. There was 50. of them and they would just write the. craziest [ __ ] and that was one of the. craziest things that like I had six. toes, which I actually have 10 toes, but. I think they meant I had six toes on one.

foot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, obviously Grey's. Anatomy is everyone's go-to comfort. show. What is yours? Ooh. Well, so I think Love Island right now. US or UK? It's Wait, it's US. US. But they're on an island, not in the. United States. but they're like it's either the US. version or the UK version. Oh, okay. Okay. Yeah, you're you're. you're US. Yes. You like Love Island? Well, I watch it with Stella. I Listen, I'm very critical. I talk a lot of [ __ ].

while I'm watching Love Island. I talk. mad [ __ ]. No one talks more [ __ ] than me watching. Love Island. But, I do watch it. It's. like it's me and Stella's it's it's you. know, what we do. It's your thing. Yeah, it's our thing. It's like you got. to be dedicated. There's so many. episodes. It's like before you know it, you've like missed on six episodes. because like a bunch come out every. single day when it starts going out. Like do you watch them in bulk? No, like how do they film so many Yeah, like there's like 47 episodes. Now, I've. only ever watched I think one season.

Oh, yes. Yeah, yeah. Um Serena and Cordell. That's my season. Those are my peeps. Love them. Um literally want to get invited to. their wedding. They're so adorable. But what But yeah, like 47 episodes. What? How do you film. 47 episodes? It literally must just be. like two-hour blocks of a 14-hour day. It's so entertaining. I I also was. addicted. I interviewed in uh Leah and. Rob from that season, and it was just.

like the biggest thing ever. I'm like. Love Island, people go hard, but clearly. we know cuz you're sitting right here. Um okay, growing up. my mom and I had a ritual. We would eat. dinner together. We would turn on. Grey's. We would watch until our eyes. hurt, and then we would force ourselves. to go to bed. How does it make you feel. knowing. the way that that show has just like. impacted so many people's lives, whether. it's bringing people together, keeping.

people comforted when they are lonely. and they're alone, whether it's inspired. them to go get a job in that field. Like. how does it make you feel? I think it. sort of justifies for me, you know, why. I've done it for so long. Because. you know, as actor as an actor you say. you you want to touch people and you. want to move people, right? And I think. everybody wants to be impactful in their. life. Everybody wants to be seen, heard, and have an impact and sort of leave. this planet. feeling like I did something worthwhile.

And I think if I've been a part of. something that brings people together, then you know, that that sort of. legitimizes it for me. Because as an. artist, you know, it isn't it isn't. the most normal path, right? All actors, you want to chase the trophies, you want. to chase being relevant, you want to. chase the new sexy hot shiny thing and. work with this director and that. director. And I didn't choose that for several.

reasons. But the fact that I didn't eat, you know, it's always in the back of. your mind like what what would have. happened if I didn't do this. Much later. on you sort of feel. you understand it now. I mean, I had a. really full home life as an actor, which. is something that I probably wouldn't. have normally been able to do if I had. if I taken a different more creative. path. Um so, but it makes to answer your. question, it it makes me feel like I've. really done something as commercial as.

it is and perhaps as uncreative as it. may be for my field, um I've touched a. lot of people and moved a lot of people. and inspired a lot of people. And that's. more than a lot of people in this. business can say. And I think. what you've done, every single person. watching this is going to be like, "Oh, she's the [ __ ] best. She is the. [ __ ] best. She has been there on my. TV since I can remember and I love her.". And I think in some capacity it's. interesting to look at actors and it's.

like, "Is it for your own ego?" Or if. you just love what you're doing it it's. fun, like isn't that enough? But I I. love what you're saying It's like, "This. afforded me what I wanted, which was. yes, my career and I loved it, but I. also love my family because right you. you filmed a lot in LA, right? All of. it, yeah. So that's what allowed you to have this. steady lifestyle while also being able. to be a mother and to be a wife and to. be a friend while simultaneously having. a very successful career that is.

very public, but comparatively you're. not flying across the world to Serbia. and filming a movie. And different. things work for different people, right? You know, at a certain point. you know, I I. had a choice to sort of finish my. contract or stay. And at the age I was, I was like, oh, well, I'll be 40 when my first contract. is up. I better resign and take this. money because you know, they offer you, if you resign, we'll give you this giant. raise. So I thought back then, 20 years.

ago, 40, women at 40, you you it's over. That's a wrap, honey. So I was like, oh, I better sign and I better I better do. this cuz this is the most money I'm ever. going to make and the most opportunity. I'm ever going to get. And women in this. industry are so incredible because look. at how far we've come and every little. bit matters, right? But we all. collectively push this giant boulder up. a hill and we've gotten it to a really. good place where here I am at 55 years.

old. I just turned 55 last month. You. know, and and and I'm. getting a whole second chapter here. after this with this new show. So um I. think that you know, it's it's different. for different people and. also being raised in Boston and growing. up the way I grew up, which was pretty. intense. For me, I. became aware at a very early age that.

people with money had power. And I didn't have any power as a young. woman. And I didn't like the way that. felt. And I think part of that is just. my personality. It's not all your. environment. It's part of it is just my. personality. And And I would watch. people that men, all men, who had a lot of money and a lot of. power, I. I looked up to them and thought they. were incredibly cool. And they were all. really bad guys. They were all mafia. guys and really bad people. Super nice.

to me, just like Goodfellas. They were. great to all of us. But really they weren't probably the. best guys, and I know that now. But they were the ones who had all the. power and. their wives and girlfriends wore fur. coats and and and people literally the. sea parted when they walked through and. they just had this command. And that to. me was like they had it. They had. stature. They had money. They had power. So I equated money with power very early. on. And as a woman, I'm sure you know.

how freeing it feels to have financial. independence because you don't have to. be with any man you don't want to be. with. You get to choose what man you. want to be with because you want to be. with him. And the day you decide you. didn't want to be with him, if that were. to ever happen, which it won't, you know, you can walk out the door. I mean, you. know, for women, financial freedom is. true independence. And um. those little patriarchal [ __ ].

that, you know, are are shivering in their panties right. now cuz I can't. I just cannot. To be To. be financially independent to me is is. what makes me the happiest, me feel the. most free. I don't ever have to do. anything I don't want to do. It's so. I love. you saying that because I do think there. is a feeling for women where when you. don't have the money, you still think.

well, is it is it the money or do I need. to be close to a powerful man? And it's. hard to separate, but once you get. there, you're like, oh, I don't need. [ __ ] Jack [ __ ] Get away from me. But. it takes you climbing the ladder and. interacting with the patriarchy and the. misogyny and experiencing it all to now. be sitting where you're saying like. you're sitting here and just being like. I'm good. Wait, but hold up. I'm not even mad at. you have to be next to a powerful man. Go ahead, get next to him and use him to.

level up. Just step right on him. And just level up. Don't stay under him. If you do what you. have to do, girl. Use him, get right. next to him, pick his pockets and keep. it moving. It's okay. You know, and um. I'm not mad at at any you know, woman. who does whatever she can to get where. she needs to go. I agree. Just get there and keep it moving.

You know, don't be in an apron cutting. his meat, honey. Period. Yeah. Call Her Daddy is brought. to you by T-Mobile. When it's time for a big juicy gossip. session with one of my friends, I need a. reliable way to get all the tea. And by. tea, I mean T-Mobile, okay? Having more. 5G coverage means getting 5G signal more. often. And as someone who is constantly.

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lounges that offer free drinks for. T-Mobile customers, and you guys know I. can't say no to a free dirty martini. So, Daddy Gang, kick your old carrier to. the curb. It is time to block their. number, then go and hit up T-Mobile when. you're ready to really be taken care of. Check out the VIP treatment at. T-Mobile.com/benefits. Let's go back for a second to. your agent first told you about Grey's, you weren't really into it.

What were your hesitations about doing. the show to begin with? And where were. you at your career and financially when. you were trying to make this decision, should I take Grey's Anatomy, or should. I not? I was broke. Um I had done a. movie with Jake Gyllenhaal. called Moonlight Mile, and it got like. all this buzz. People saw it and was. like, "This is going to be an Oscar. movie. You're going to be nominated for. an Oscar. This is crazy." And I really. didn't know what I was doing at that. point. It was my first movie. I was. terrified. And uh before it came out, I.

got all this attention from all these. people were calling me. All these big. producers, all these big directors were. calling me. And we thought this was. going to be some big deal. It ended up the studio didn't actually. market the movie because they thought. the movie was so sad, they didn't really. know what to do with it or how to market. it. So, they built it all up in my mind. and were like, "This performance is. incredible, and this is going to happen, and that's going to happen." And CAA. came around, and the publicists and the. lawyers and everybody comes around. And.

then the movie came out and kind of like. it was in five theaters. So, it was like, "Wait, what?" And then. I, you know, I chugged along. I I was. trying to be in good movies with great. directors, but they were only really. small parts. So, I kept doing those. I. kept getting like sort of cut out of. those. Um and then I had no money left. And so this came along and um. I was like, "Ah, I don't want to be on a. TV show. Like I'm trying to be in these.

movies and I had all these people call. me and tell me how amazing I am and I. should stay on this track. Why are you. trying to derail me and put me over. here?" And my agent said, "Well, it's. just a TV pilot and these things never. go. So you can make a bunch of money. with the TV pilot and then you'll be. unemployed again in exactly 42 days." So. uh so I So I just did it not not. knowing, you know, and then the pilot. got picked up and then we went back to. shoot season 1 and What was your first. impression of Shonda Rhimes? I had lunch with Shonda at RIP Barney's.

Remember Barney's? Yeah. Um. I had lunch with her. They said, "We. want you to go meet this person." And to. be honest, this the It was called the Untitled. Shonda Rhimes project at that at that. point. I hadn't been reading any scripts. that would that I would have been the. main character. I was always the. girlfriend. You know, I was some. side chick down in alley in a one scene.

in these great movies. You know what I. mean? There was nothing for me to really. do. But because I I was all I had a hard. on for the director or you know, it's. this director and this. big movie star's in it and you know, whatever. And listen, some of those. movies are great. I was in Catch Me If. You Can with Leo and like Spielberg. directed that and that was amazing. Um. and I loved those guys and I'm so. grateful for that opportunity. So not to diss all of it, but I didn't. have much to do in those movies and and. and Shonda's script was really the first.

thing that was like, "Oh, you're the. center. You're the lead and you're. playing a surgeon. A smart character, a. working woman who's trying to figure it. out." And I was like, "Wow. Uh. who is this woman?" And then I went and. met her and had lunch and I and I loved. her. I mean, it's pretty right when you. speak to her right away, it's obvious. how smart she is. Yeah, I can imagine the electricity in. the room when you're with someone like. that that is that smart and talented. It.

I feel like when I'm around smart women, it's inspiring and you want to work. harder. and it's motivating. Like, what do you. think her best quality as a boss was and. is? Her best quality as a boss is that's so. easy to answer. When you tell her you're. pregnant or you're having a baby, she literally like sounds the bell, the. confetti comes down, how many days do. you need off, what can we do for you, how do we make this easier for you, how.

do we get you paid and keep your job, like you we're going to write your. scenes and you only have to work one day. a week. I mean, she's extraordinary in. that way. Back to my earlier point of. being able to have this amazing home. life. Shonda is a big family person, she. has a big family herself. You know, she's always with her parents. and her sisters and she really. celebrates women going on a fertility. journey. And you know, whether. biological, non-biological, you know, I.

had my second two children via surrogate. and and she's just a really big. supporter of women being able to work. and have families and I don't think. there's many people in this town who who. do that. I don't have kids, but it's not lost on. me that like I'm at that point where I'm. thinking about like what is that next. step for me and I've literally been at. dinners, Ellen, like in Hollywood and. people have even said to me like, "Oh, just wait a few more years cuz you know.

what happens when you have kids. Like. it's going to all change for you." As my. husband's [ __ ] sitting right next to. me and I'm like. and for him too or just no just me just. me I'm going to become the mom and the. damaged goods and I'm not as good and. I'm not as and it's just you feel the. tone in the way that people speak and so. to have someone that is. advocating. for you I bet there's going to be so. many women that listen to this being.

like oh I [ __ ] wish my boss would do. that [ __ ] and that should be a. prerequisite standard for the way that. women are treated not even in this. industry but in every single field. whatever you're doing for your job like. that's how we keep this [ __ ] world. moving is we. are making the next generation so. support us in that journey. 100% but. people who who judge that and make those. very ignorant comments. they lack wisdom and they lack intuition.

and they they lack magic. And Shonda is magic we know that. Yeah we do. And. you know the truth is. and she has even famously said this. at work I'm not I'm not 100% at work. when I have kids at home I'm absolutely. not you cannot be a mother and have. children and give 100% to your job you. can't because there's a part of you.

that's somewhere else you split into. different pieces you're no longer just. you you split into different pieces and. you know what that does. it makes you more soulful it makes you. richer it makes you funnier it makes you. feel more it makes you more empathetic. it makes you angrier it gives you this. range of emotions that you can't even. imagine. having without this person you will be.

yourself. times a thousand. You will just be a. better version of yourself. And it doesn't matter that you can't. give 100% to this because by the way, as women, we evolve anyway. And you're. going to whether you I'm not saying kids. is the only path. Plenty of people don't. want to have kids and that's great for. them. But if that's something that you. want, that's only going to make you. better. You know, you're going to morph into. you'll morph into that person who part.

of your being is a mother. And that's. only a plus. Thank you for sharing that. cuz like I needed to hear that so I can. imagine there's a lot of people. listening being like. yes, Ellen, thank you. Like, can I ask. did you. for your first, did you have any. um. not hesitations, but did you How did you. feel about your career and having your. first child? And and were you this. confident at that point? I definitely.

wasn't this confident, but it was more. of um my husband really wanted to have a. a child. I It wasn't really because I. had a complicated sort of sad childhood. I I what childhood to me I I didn't have. any sort of fond memories of children. and I wasn't I didn't feel any maternal. anything really because I didn't have a. mother. Or I had one, but she passed. away. Okay. I was going to say, do you mind me. asking just a little bit about your. childhood? of an accidental overdose when I was.

four. Um. but so. you know, you know, I I don't have all. these fond memories of childhood and. dying to be a mother and all of that was. really my husband who said, I really. want to have a daughter and I want to. name her Stella. And I was like, you. you know, you I don't know, you kind of. should have asked me this before we got. married because I don't know what. I I honestly, I've worked since, you. know, 14 years old. I love working and I. didn't really ever think about it. I. just loved working every day, loved. going to work. And he was like, "You.

really don't want to have a kid?" I was. like, "Uh. Uh, no.". And then he was like, "Just one?" And I. was like, "Uh, no." And I was like, "Uh, okay." And then then I started having. like he forced me to sort of think about. it more seriously. And then I thought, you know, you think all the things like, "What if I have a kid and then I don't. like it?" Like you can't send it back. Like what happens? And then I'm like, "But a lot of people have kids and. they're like obsessed with them. So like. maybe something happens. Maybe they. really do like them.". And then I thought, "Well, you know, I'm.

38 years old and if I don't do it, I. won't ever be able to. And then if I don't really like the kid. or like being a mother, So the other room like I'll just have. the one. Right? I was like, "I don't have to do. it again and I'll just deal with the. one.". Right. So we did it and and then of. course, you know, my heart broke open. and uh and it changed my life forever. and I evolved into a completely.

different person. And I would say I'm so. much better for having had children. Wow. Um. It's inspiring you hearing talking about. it because I know there's mothers that. listen to this. There's people that. don't want kids. There's people that do. want kids but just the way that you can. tell. you are so. filled up by the decision you made and. obviously you didn't stop at one. So. clearly you liked it. Hi Stella, listening over there. Um No, it's. beautiful. It's really beautiful and I.

appreciate you sharing that because I I. think a lot of what I've talked about on. my show is there's so much of what we. decide from our childhood and so much of. our childhood impacts us but it doesn't. define us but you have to decide where. you want to start carving your own path. And it doesn't mean that you're not. going to take the things that happened. to you from childhood and then whether. you change things that you didn't like. or you want to bring things forward that. you liked, but like a lot of creating. your own family. is because of what you went through, and.

it's beautiful to hear you talk about. how like you and your husband came to. this decision, and it wasn't something. that you were at the forefront of your. brain. Um I think as career-driven. women, it's. it's can be hard to feel like I'm going. to put a pause on, and then hearing from. you, you're like, I didn't really need. to pause. Look at you. You're like, you've you're you're doing it all, and. you can do it all. And I think that is. inspiring. Um I'm going to ask you some. questions, some Grey's questions, and. you're going to tell me first thing that. comes to mind.

Okay. Which character's death hit you. the hardest? George O'Malley. It has to. be. 007. That moment where he wrote Oh. on your palm? I mean, the writing? Yeah. I'm like, you just killed me. Like, you just stabbed me in the heart. How dare you? Holy [ __ ] Okay, I agree. Um which scene was the most emotional to. film? That was a pretty emotional one, but I.

would I would have to say I think Sandra. Oh's last day. was really emotional for me. I can speak. for myself. Mhm. I won't speak for her, but for me, it. was was really emotional because I um. I I really like she's she was such a. loss uh because she's so immensely. talented, and I really didn't think the. show could go on without her. Um and I. was okay with that, but it just it.

literally felt like half of the show. just leaving. Yeah, it felt like a piece. was going to always be missing, and I. felt like when obviously anyone from the. core left, it felt wrong, but that. because she was your person, and you. were her person on the show, it was like. I think even back to the way that you. guys um the writing of that like you're. my person. And I feel like that has transcended the. show in a way because in my life I have. my person and her name is Lauren and.

she's my best friend and but it's more. than a best friend and I think that word. has kind of seeped into people's lives. where you really start to think like. there's that iconic scene at the bar. when she's you know pregnant and she's. going through it and she's going to like. not choose to keep the baby and it's. such this. beautiful moment of this like. feminine energy between these two human. beings of just this bond that is this. unsaid thing like we will trudge through.

the [ __ ] for each other and it was very. inspiring to me at a young age and now I. always use that term um and it mostly. comes up when I'm going through the. really hard [ __ ] in life and I always go. to my person when I need her. So, thank. you for bringing that to life. Um also the for me emotional when Izzie. and Denny Duquette and everyone's. walking down the stairs. of course of course. That I I mean. listen the the brilliance of Shonda. There's there's been a lot of moments. How many moments? But but but all of those feminist. moments, right? Cristina Yang talking.

about abortion on network primetime. television. saying that the woman is the most. important relationship in your life not. the man. I mean you know she really is. um. a feminist trailblazer. It it in terms of like what what we see. on the screen on primetime television. she changed the game for sure. Without a doubt. The grossest prop. you've ever had to work with? Oh my god, definitely real uh organs. Real body. parts. Yeah, it's gross. It's really. gross. We don't we we we stopped using.

them. you know in the later seasons but in the. beginning we used to use you know real. bowel, real intestine like bovine cow. intestine, cow heart, cow liver, um. cow brain. It's It's all It's all really. It's all really gross. Oh, you've gone through it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, which Meredith. Grey line is most often quoted back to. you? Pick me, choose me, love me. That's iconic, too.

More than iconic. Katherine Heigl didn't even know that. pick me girl came from that. I was like, "Girl, Dude, we're legends.". When I saw that interview between you. guys, and you were like, "Did you know. what a pick me girl is?" And she's like, "Are we pick me girls?" I was dying. You're like, "My daughter told me that. we basically And I was the ultimate pick. me girl." Stella's like, "Mom, you're. such a pick me." I'm like, "Oh my god.". That line though, I agree. I also will.

never forget the stairwell moment. And I. have to tell you the story cuz it's so. embarrassing. When you looked at Derek, and you say, "You don't get to call me a. whore." Yeah. Yeah. Girl, and you say I. You basically say like, "I will not. apologize for the way that I repair my. choose to repair what you broke." "I'm. not a whore." I used that on an. ex-boyfriend. No, it's so embarrassing. Ellen, I'm in the wake of a breakup. He. cheated. I'm devastated. I move on. He.

finds out I move on quickly. He calls me. a [ __ ] I'm sitting there like, "What. What can I say to this man? We're going. to get brunch, talk it through." And I'm. like, "This man has never seen Grey's. Anatomy.". I pull your line out of my ass. I look. this man dead in the eyes over a coffee, and I literally say, "You don't get to. call me a whore." And I said the whole. [ __ ] line. He was too stunned to speak. I was like. I literally I'm like, "I hope he doesn't. like go Google that shit." cuz it was so.

brilliant. Oh, and he was like. mortified. I was like, "Thank you, Meredith Grey. Moving on." So, I've. literally. pretty good. Meredith has so many near-death. experiences, which do you think was the. most insane? Insane in what way? Like I'm not believable. No, insane in the like it really pushed. it pushed like for me the ferry. Yeah, the ferry and Derek carrying me when I'm. blue was you know, that was amazing. And Christina saying. again, try again. I'm like can you like.

watch this just a couple times? was amazing. Yeah. And I think the the. bomb moment was. Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Heavy, yeah. Um, which co-star would you consider. your closest friend? You know, I probably I'm closest to. Justin Chambers. Okay. Yeah, I think. Justin and TR. I think I'm I'm closest. with them. Cute. As we all saw. Meredith didn't make the best decisions.

in her relationship sometimes. Sometimes. We love our girl, but. sometimes. I'm going to give you a. scenario from the show and you tell me. what advice you would now give Meredith. Meredith begging Derek to choose her. over his wife. Girl. Bye. Love. Meredith rebounding with George when she. knew he liked her for years. I mean. Can I tell you. Can I tell you a inside story about.

that? Please. That's this is a crazy. TR and I are such good friends. And we had to do a love scene. And we were both crying. We cried. We cried. And the scene. was so uncomfortable and awkward. And. he didn't want to do that. I didn't want. to do it. And. when we filmed it it was so bad.

And then the network there was too much. thrusting. In your worst nightmare to have to do it. one time. We had a reshoot that [ __ ]. No. We had to reshoot it and do it. twice. No. I mean, if you By the way, I've never. watched that scene. I've never seen it. But I'm I don't know how it was shot or. covered or what the end how it was. edited, but I'm full on in tears the. whole entire scene. And those are real.

tears. Yeah. And there's a lot of stuff that I didn't. want to do at the time. I didn't want to. say pick me, choose me, love me. You. know, and and to Shonda's credit, like. she knew that was going to pop. I was. like, why would I do this? Why would I. beg? Why would I. And and you know, you have to just suck. it up and do it. And um and it ended up being, you know, the biggest thing ever, the most iconic. things ever. So, I'm not always the best. judge of, you know, what's going to And. it's not like I said it wasn't going to.

be good. I was just like, I don't want. to do that. And and you know, but so. That's so interesting Thank you for the. little tea there. Thank you. Um okay, Meredith attempting to be friends with. benefits with an ex like Derek. Listen, it depends on the situation. True. You know. You never know. Do what you need to do, girl. Kind of fair. Handle your business. Um Meredith dating a former patient. Was.

he hot? Who was it? Was it Nick? Was his name Nick? Oh, Nick. Nick. Oh, Speedman's so hot. Yes. What? We're not. questioning dating Speedman. I'm. obsessed. Speedman. Nick Marsh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Speedman's happily married with two. children, my good friend, but you know, Daddy gang, he's hot. You know. Okay, and last one, Meredith building. her future home out of candles to show. Derek her commitment even though he had. a girlfriend. Rose. Wait, I built it No, he did the.

candles. No, you did. You stupid stupid house. I. shouldn't have done this. I'm so. embarrassed. I don't want to be And he. comes in, remember? Yes, no, I don't. even remember. Meredith built the house in candles. built the house in candles. like, I'm so embarrassing. This is so. stupid. I shouldn't have done this. And. then he's like, Meredith. And you're. like, This is our living room. This is. where we're going to have the kids. This. is where we And then he's like, I have. to leave. I have to go tell Rose. Really? I love I'm telling you this. god, I didn't remember that that's what. it was. You know what I remember from.

that scene? I remember the poor prop. people having to light every single. candle and like the wind blowing and. blowing out half of them and then he. like. So good. There was like 17 of us trying to light. all the candles. Okay, it's obviously. such a big cast. Can you talk to me about like how do you. handle Cuz at the end of the day, this. is your job. Um how did you handle when. maybe you didn't vibe with certain. people on set or you didn't get along. with people like anyone does in a work. environment? Like how did you personally.

navigate those moments? Maybe not always. the best. I think there's no real road. map to do it one way. I think it depends. on the circumstance. Um. you know, not everybody's going to like. you. And you have to be okay with that. I say. that I say that to Stella all the time. Uh you know, you don't like everybody. I. don't like everybody. So, not everybody. is going to like you. And that's. sometimes hard, but it's just a fact of. life and you have to.

just swallow that pill that like you're. not everybody's cup of tea. And and um so, it's challenging. I think. that. I. you know, sometimes I've I've I've um. I think what's hard. what was hard for me on set for Gray's. is I felt like because I did have a. position of power that I could advocate. for certain people sometimes and try to. fight for people when they maybe didn't.

feel like they had enough power. And then to have that not be well. received. And people to like say like we don't. need we don't I don't need you to like. do that for me. I thought like oh, yikes. So so sorry. Like you know, um. and and I I've learned so much but but. what I've learned is every situation is. different, you know? And then um. you know, I not not not all I've not. always handled everything perfectly. Obviously, I've stuck my foot in my.

mouth more times than I can choose on. the show and and off it. You know, what. all you can do is learn and I think. the thing about me is my intention is. always good. But sometimes as a sort of. strong person and and I'm a strong. person because I've survived a lot and. dealt with a lot. So I have I do have a. tough exterior. Sometimes that is a misconstrued. as something else because I am. hard on the outside and I curse like a.

sailor and I'll literally start a. fistfight in the middle of Rodeo Drive. with someone who cuts me off. I will. Don't sleep. I will. But I'm also like super soft and chewy. inside. And you know, so I I'm I'm I'm. I'm a a complex blend, I think. Aren't. we all? I do want to talk a little bit. more about that of you being the leading. role, right? And the. pressures that come with that and.

can we talk about money? Yeah. Let's. talk about money. Let's do it. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by. Lululemon. Daddy Gang, we all know that. having a good workout fit makes the. workout so much better. In my opinion, it is make or break. Okay, there is. nothing worse than when you're trying to. do squats in a pair of leggings that are. slipping down or even worse, they're. see-through. Okay? This is why I'm so. happy that I have the Lululemon Align. Tight. The fit it's snug. I like it.

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tights give me that confidence. Don't. hold back, visit your local Lululemon. store, or shop online at lululemon.com. to get your Align tights. Your $20 million salary was publicly. shared to the world. How did you feel when that came out? Well, my manager at the time said something to. me that literally hit me like a brick. He said, "Are you How Are you ready to. be unpopular?". I was like, "What do you What do you. mean?" And he was like, "Well, I just. don't want you to think that everyone's.

going to go in and cheer for you and. clap for you and bow to you and think. you're the dopest thing ever cuz there's. going to be a lot of people who are not. happy for you.". And that had never occurred to me. I was like, "Oh, thanks for saying that to me. It did not. occur to me, and you are so right." And. so, that was a good prep for me. that he said that. But But it's true. It's It's not. everybody. And And And other women have. said it, you know, publicly like, "No,

people generally it's It's hard for. people to. celebrate other people and if if if they. have something that resembles something. that they want.". Mhm. No, yeah. I feel very um. in simpatico with you on this and I'm. enjoying asking you this cuz I'm also. like. I think probably also like enjoying any. wisdom I can get because I think. you deserved that. And do you. Thank.

you. But you don't. prepare for you're right that feeling. where you're so like wow, holy [ __ ]. There's not a lot of women who have. gotten to this point like and in your. head you're celebrating like. I remember in my moment it was less. about in moments myself more about like. I don't think I'm like ever going to get. comfortable with the number being out. there. Like my first contract was um I. remember when the number got leaked and. I was like. woah, I'm so proud though that people.

know. that it's there because it stands for so. much I thought in my mind. But then you. get this wave of negativity. that. I I I say it all the time and it is a. definite statement that men just do not. experience this level of scrutiny when. it comes to money. You have Jeff Bezos. and Elon and Trump and all of these men. get to just [ __ ] [ __ ] money in front. of our faces and everyone thinks it's.

hot and powerful and they're so and then. the minute we get any of it even in the. ball not even in the ballpark. We're. just lightly getting a part of the. conversation. It's like oh that. she doesn't deserve it. Either she's a. [ __ ] she found a way to maneuver it. cuz she's not worth that and it's like. it's a lot. It's it's a lot and it's patriarchy and. it's misogyny. and that's what it is. What you know, sports players too. Sports players are.

celebrated for their contracts. Crazy. contracts. Not saying they're they don't. they're not worth it. But I mean it's. okay for them to celebrate it and it's. and it's not okay. And I think what what. helps me is. uh to really focus on. to not sort of to take myself out of it. and stop thinking about myself and what. people think of me. and just focus on what I do best, which. is the work. Focus on the work and focus.

on when you make a lot of money as a. woman, let's face it, you have power, right? So then how can I take that power. and do good with it? How can I amplify. someone else? How can I help someone. else? How can I lift up someone else who. doesn't sit in the position of privilege. that I sit in? [ __ ] what people think of me. Who cares? You can't control that. What you can do. is use your power for good. And there's. a lot of women. probably in your field, you know, who.

would love. a show on Aunt Well. Yeah. And and who would thrive and would. do anything to get on your network and. be under your umbrella. They just need a. chance, you know? So who cares what. people say about you? You just keep. doing you and use your power. to lift up other people and your power. wouldn't have been for nothing. Can you. talk to me about what doubts you.

personally had to push through in the. moments. where. you needed to. essentially go in and advocate for. yourself of what your worth to get to. that point in your career where you're. like, I deserve this number, whatever it. was when you're sitting in those rooms. with these people who are probably like, I don't know if you do. Can you talk to. me about that? Well, yeah, sure. So I'm. super lucky and I have a great team of. lawyers and agents, right? And then here. we go, once again, Shonda Rhimes. Um I.

being a being a woman, I guess I'm. conditioned to make sure that I'm not. stepping on anybody's toes and I'm being. polite, which. I guess people maybe who know me. wouldn't say, well, [ __ ] you are not. polite. But anyway, um I asked Shonda. first. I said, just so you know, she. doesn't really have much to do with that. stuff, you know, it's business affairs. and whatever, but I said to her, I'm. going to go in and ask for this much. Are you cool with that? Just because I don't want to be.

disrespectful to her. I don't want to. come off crazy and I want to let her. know what moves I'm making because I do. respect her. I am grateful to her and. and I don't and I and and and I do want. to make sure I'm I'm moving in the right. way, right? And so and she was like, yeah, no one's going to give it to you. You have to ask for it. And so once I. got her blessing to go ahead and do what. I wanted to do, then I said to my team, I'm okay with that. And you know, necessarily the business people might.

say, you don't need to ask her. permission. You don't need to do that. And and then I say, yeah, but I want to. Because truth is, I wouldn't be here. without her. So I always back to my being raised in a. mafia culture, I always want to pay. respect to the people that deserve. respect and it makes me feel good to. know I'm let I'm letting you know how. I'm moving because to me that's polite, that's courteous. I'm going to go do. this. I don't want to make you look.

crazy and it's communication and I just. feel like it's good business and and. people know I'm up front with them and. I'm not shady. I'm not I'm not shady at. all. I'm super up front. I always say it. like it is. May not always land well, but like I'm transparent, you know? I also think something that you said in. that that's really great advice for. someone when they are going to advocate. for themselves and you are going to. someone like Shonda who's again also in. a position of power, you in your gut you.

were doing it out of a respect. It. wasn't because you're back against the. wall, you're like, "If she finds out, she'll be mad." It. wasn't out of fear-based. And I think a. lot of times when you're going to make a. business decision for yourself or a. relationship decision, whatever it is, checking in with yourself to be like, "Why am I actually doing this?" You went. to Shonda because she had whether it was. stuck her neck out for you or you and. you respected her and you had a great. working relationship with her. Like, that was between you and Shonda where. you genuinely wanted to do it. You.

didn't have to do it, but it meant. something to you and her relationship. You know what I mean? you know, I I believe in honor. And the other thing I believe in is sort. of I don't want anything that I don't. deserve. I don't want anything I don't deserve, and I don't want anything that I haven't. worked for. And I'm happy to work for everything I. have and and and and you know, the the. CAA can they print out a report, right? You Q-rating or whatever it is, they. spit it out, and they let you know. exactly how you move the needle. It's.

all in the data. You affect this many households, your. voice is recognizable to this many. people, the median income in that. household is this. They break it down. You see exactly how much. the this network makes for the parent. company. I see exactly how much Grey's. Anatomy makes for ABC Disney. I get to. see the number. And then, you know, it's.

my face, it's my voice. Um. I've done so much work promoting the. show all over the world. for the past 20 years. It is I am the. you know, Disney princess of that. franchise. So, you know, I have this. sort of data to back up. I know the show. has generated this much money. I. definitely deserve a percentage of that. And you can do the same. And and And. that's what's challenging, and I've said. this before, so I'm sorry if I sound.

redundant, but. it is challenging for women to advocate. themselves. in different situations and jobs, because if you cannot quantify. what your. um. how how your what you do contributes to. the income of that company, it's it's. it's harder to fight for yourself and. say I deserve this. Well, you deserve. this based on what? It is easier to. quantify what you're worth when you see. a hard number. So, I advocate for women. always fighting for themselves, because.

most likely they are getting undervalued. compared to what they're offering men. Uh we we know that also statistically, and women of color and Hispanic women. and Asian women, you know, we know all. those numbers, so they're always. undervalued. So, all women should always. push the envelope. All anyone can say is. no. Such a good [ __ ] point about I. the I remember the first contract. essentially I was in. I was so green. I. was so new. I didn't know anything about. bonus structure and download structure.

and all of that, and it was used against. me. I was being lied to about what I. should be getting to for a bonus. And. so, it was this like push and pull of. begging for numbers, begging for. numbers. And I remember when I got into. my next contract, that was something I. had personally made sure my lawyers put. in the contract that every single data. point that impacts this show and how. much money it's making, I get to see. Because now, I agree with you. It's like.

anyone out there can be out there. saying, "We don't We don't deserve it.". or whatever. I'm looking at the numbers. These people aren't just [ __ ] giving. out fresh cash and free cash for jack. [ __ ] It's like these No one is giving. out money these days easily. So, it's. like you're right. I I if especially if. women, even if it's your advocating for. yourself to get the. month like bi-quarterly check-ins and. getting more like tangible information. Information is power and when people are. trying to block you out of getting. information, there is a reason for that.

and the more that you can push to. whatever field you're in, you got to try. to go for it because that's how you're. going to have leverage. So, and and you talking about the. male-female thing which is obvious. Obviously, you and your co-star Patrick. Dempsey, I know you talked about in the. past of just like. they kind of would use it as leverage in. your negotiations. Like. what message did that send you of. someone you're on camera with and you. can't get the same?

Well, you know, listen, to be completely. fair, the television game was so. different then and he had done like 13. pilots before me. Right, that was my. first pilot I had ever done. And back in. those days, you know, I don't know if. they still do this or not. Um, they had. like you had a quote. And with every TV. pilot you did, you got your quote which. was whatever it was. So, if you've done. 13 TV pilots and here we go, not not. nothing personal to him, but just in. general, um, only a man can fail can.

have 13 failed TV pilots and their quote. still keeps going up, right? But, in all. fairness, his quote was what it was. He. was a bigger star than I was at that. point. No one knew who I was. Everybody. knew who he was. So, he did he did. deserve that money. I'm not saying he. didn't deserve that money. It's just. being that I was the namesake of the. show, I deserved the same and then that. was harder to get. So, I wasn't salty. about him getting what he got. I was.

salty that they didn't value me as much. as they valued him. And and and and they never will and and. and that goes for back to my earlier. point of like once you get to a certain. level, you can advocate, you know, for. other women on your uh platform you or. in your job in your workplace. If you. know, you know, that that that you're. getting this much and all the other. women are well beneath you, you can't just be okay with that. You.

can't just be like, "Yes, I'm winning. Cool. Let's go." No, you really do have. a responsibility to look and see what. everybody else is making and and use. your power to say, "Listen, I appreciate. what I got. This is amazing, but I. happen to notice this. And I'd really. think that all the women deserve a. bump.". That's I mean, even hearing you back to. the first question I asked you about. this like. when your agent said that or your.

lawyer, I forget which one you said, which was so. profound of just being like, "Mhm, girl, no one is going to be that happy for. you." How did you then just navigate the. interpersonal dynamics on set of. yet again knowing you deserved this, but there may be some awkwardness. Like, was it tough? It's tough like again, yeah, I have some. people-pleasing element that I think all. of us have, right? Well, not everybody,

but a lot of people I definitely have. it. And um yeah, it's not easy because. what's what you see is, you know, you. see the people I was ready for it, right? Because he made that comment to. me. So, what I saw was people who didn't. say anything. You know, I got emails. from all these people. I'm not going to. name-drop, but like a lot I got a lot of. emails that day when that story came out. from, you know, amazing people. People. who were like, "How'd you get my email?". You know, congratulating me.

And um but then the ones who are quiet, you know, who don't say anything. And you see it and you're like, "Okay, but you know, I don't know what to say. Don't hate the player, hate the game.". Call Her Daddy is brought to you by. Tinder. Dating app culture has gotten so. complicated. I feel like every week I. hear about a new app with new rules. It's time to just go back to our roots, you guys. Tinder is back and it's easier. than ever to put yourself out there. The. OG dating app is here for whatever.

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stories, I guess you could say, of all. time. How did your husband feel about you. having this insane romance on screen? Like, was he chill with it? Was it like. a conversation you guys ever had? Like, I guess how do you deal with that as an. actress? I mean, I think that it's. it Chris really never watched the show. That helped. You know, it was better for. him. He knew just not to watch.

Um you know, he really. I was with him before Grey's. So, Grey's. kind of came out of nowhere for us and I. just think we were on this crazy ride. that we were just trying to hang on for. dear life. You know, um. the part. part of it that was more intense for me, even more than that, was. the back to the tabloid stuff of like. how they started attacking him. You know, and bringing up his past.

things and a record that he had and. stuff that he did and, you know, we. don't need to get into a whole racial. breakdown here, but like. you know, the truth is is young black. men in this country aren't given the. same opportunities as everybody else. And. a lot of people come from rough. neighborhoods. I came from a rough. neighborhood. I I I did plenty of dirt. when I was young. I won't get into that. here, but, you know, the truth is is.

publicly he was sort of meant, you know, the racial component of our relationship. was really something that he never asked. for. And uh and I was I felt really more bad. about that that I felt like the media. was really mean to him and and and. really biased because how dare this. skinny blonde petite little woman be. with this tall black man. Um, the visual of that, I think America.

wasn't ready for that. The mail that I. used to get. Um, the racist, hateful, violent mail. that ABC would get because of that. I. literally just got chills when you just. said that because. it's so disgusting and is. like makes me emotional thinking about. it because. the. beautiful family you have created and.

the beautiful relationship. you must have to weather a storm that is. all. everyone else is bringing the negativity. to you. Like you're two human beings. like you said before Grey's. Like you're. doing your thing and then this thing. explodes and you become on this pedestal. that people want you to act a certain. way, date a certain way, be a certain. way and if you don't kind of fall into.

that exact. stereotype that they want you to be, then you're failing. And I mean, I can't. imagine the conversations and but if. anything and correct me if I'm wrong, how much. stronger in the end it made the two of. your relationship, but you should have. never had to go through that. Like have. you guys. Have you Have you ever had to talk to. your kids about this because like will.

they ever read these tablets? Do you. know what I mean? No, no. I don't think I don't think so. because the media is so different now. You know, I think I think what's what's. really helped is Well, Chris is. biracial, right? His mother is white. Jewish and he grew up in Boston in the. 70s in a real, you know, super liberal. hippy sort of place, right? So he was. very familiar, you know, obviously very. familiar with. that type of attention. and either, you know, negativity.

Boston historically was always a super. racist place. So I'm not, you know, the ever everybody. knows that. So. you know, and I think that what's funny. about And And Chris and I because we. come from the same place, we're like, you know, sort of two kids who made it. out and then landed in Hollywood and. like jumped on this ride and we were. just so we just couldn't believe that. you know something was actually. happening that it was great we had this. I had this great job and we were getting.

to travel all over the world. And so um. in a way like we're we had each other. and he's a big reason how I got through. all that was because he did understand. because. he is cut from the same cloth as as I am. and I think that. you know to your point in women in media. or people see you and they have a. certain idea about who you should be. And for me you know people aren't used. to you know I'm probably people see me.

and they think I'm they think they know. who I am. And they don't know that you. know I'm this like sort of tough you. know half mafia half street fighter half. you know what I mean I'm confusing to. people because they see me and they. think I'm one thing or they see Meredith. and they think that's me and that's who. I am but really I'm. really very different and probably. should have been on The Sopranos more. more than Grey's Anatomy. Well thank God.

you were on Grey's Anatomy okay because. Sopranos would have been dope too but. thank God for Grey's. Yeah thank God for. Grey's but like yeah no that would not. have been bad. Um let's talk about now. Okay. The Good American Family. I think. about Good American Family and I'm like. sitting here and I'm like 21 years of. Grey's? Yes. 21 years. Yeah. This is. your first project since that. How did you decide like I'm going to. invest in a new character in a new.

story? Was it even ever a question that. you would or wouldn't do anything else? Yeah well I always I didn't know what I. was going to do. I just knew that I. really couldn't do Grey's anymore. Yeah. Um that it was to the point where. I really just felt like, you know, an. animal at the zoo. Like I. And even if in Like I said, I'm a big. believer in destiny and I thought, if. there's something else I'm meant to do, it's going to find me. And uh but but I.

know I have to leave this. And. sometimes, you know, you'd like. opportunities to come while you're doing. something so you have an easy exit, you. have a soft landing. And And it it turns out I I actually did. get a soft landing cuz I'm I I still do. both. Um, but I was sort of thinking. like nothing's coming along and and I. really believe in this town, if they. want you, they will find you. I'm on TV. for 20 years and the biggest show ever. Like everybody knows who I am. Clearly, these people don't want me. They're not.

coming for me. No one's offering me. this. No one's offering me that. I mean, I've been offered a few things, obviously, but like could never make it. work and everyone's always just like, well, we're not going to offer Ellen. this because there's no way she can get. out of her Grey's commitment. And And. you know, for the most part, you shoot. network television 10 months out of the. year. So, I had always committed to that and. then there's no room to do anything. else. Now, it's a little easier because. you don't You shoot 15 episodes. You. know, they've really reduced the orders. on network television. Um, but anyway, I.

had really stepped away and I had said, I really I have to step away. I can't do. it anymore. And if nothing else comes, nothing else comes. It's my destiny. No. one wants me. That's okay. I can swallow. that pill like I swallow everything else. and um at least I'm financially okay. And then I got the script. Um, which Laura Holstein, who's sitting. outside, she um I think brought it to me. with my agent and uh and and and my. agent said, And I always said, Why would.

we do this? How will we pull this off? This is kind of tricky stuff. Uh this world, social media, TikTok, documentaries, cancel culture, all of. it. You know, it's all a lot and this is tricky. subject matter and this looks like. walking through a landmine. I don't know. why we would do this. And then he said, "You've always said if it was something. so different and so crazy in a character. that was just a complete 180 from. everything you've done that you'd love.

to do it. To challenge yourself and to prove that. you can and this is it. It does happen to be tricky subject. matter and we're dealing with child. abuse and disabled children and a lot of. neurodivergent children and a lot of. tricky subject matter, but if you really. want to take a turn and you really want. to flip [ __ ] Ellen, this is the moment. right here. And so it's an offer, you know, they. want you to do this and you should just.

go for it. Talk to me about leaning in. obviously and preparing for this. character. It is a It is a very dark. story. Like as a mother yourself, how did Where was the in? Like how did. you find it within yourself to like. enter into this character and be this. character and bring it to life? I think. the the first thing I started with was. every mother. has the intention and the maternal. biological crazy instinct to literally.

do anything for your kids. You can lift. a car off your kid if you had to, right? It's this otherworldly strength that you. have to want to love your children, protect your children, and you will do. anything to give them the best chance. So I started from that. And then. what happens when you have the best of. intentions. and [ __ ] just doesn't go the way you. thought it was going to go? So. I think that. things We have a lot of expectations and.

especially when people have children, you expect your child's going to be. super cute, you're going to dress them. up super cute, you're going to put them. in little dresses and they're going to. look just like you and they're going to. do everything you say and they're going. to go to bed when you tell them and it's. just going to be awesome. But like sometimes you have a kid who's. like we're not doing that today. I'm. going to throw this on the floor. I'm. going to knock this over. You know, whatever and and as a parent like. there's a lot attached as a parenting is.

is a lot about ego because you you do. expect this person to do everything you. tell them to do. You want them to be. exactly who you want them to be. But the. truth is they're not. They come out who. they are and you have to deal with that. Is this a situation where you guys have. been able to talk to the real family at. all? Nope. Can't do any of that. And we really did. create like our writers. and this is the interesting thing about.

fiction and drama and entertainment. is we can create our own narrative and. the idea that. your truth is different than my truth. The two of us can can sit here today. I. mean, this is maybe a bad example cuz. we're having a great time and it's love. fest. But like we come away from this. with two different versions of what. happened which is so often the case. You've been you know, in situations with. people where this person thinks this.

thing and this person thinks this thing. and you're like, wait, I didn't think. that at all. That's what she thought. I. was doing this. And they took it as. this. So, that's another one of our. complicated human conditions is like. your opinion and your version of events. is different than mine. Everybody sees. things differently and we're certainly. you know, dealing with that in our. country right now. So, we're telling. this story from a lot of different. perspectives which makes it complex and. interesting cuz you think you you what.

the story is. People think they know. what the story is. There was the movie. Orphan that was done years ago and. people are like seeing the trailer and. they're like, "Oh, I know what that is.". Well, no, you don't. Like, we're smarter than. that. Give us some credit, please. We've. thought of everything. And we've been thoughtful. And we're. like, "What if it was this? What if it. was this? What if it wasn't this? What. if it was this?" And we're giving you a.

lot to think about. So, I'm just so. excited. for you and for the world to see you in. a different role. And I think it's. there is an anticipation that is. exciting to know that. we're not going to see Meredith Grey on. screen. And that is And I think the. complete departure is such a fascinating. take that you did. And I'm excited that. you went all the way to the other side.

And I'm just excited for everyone in the. world to watch this and enjoy it and. ingest it and see you in a different. light because you're so talented. We've. all fallen in love with you through one. lens. And now we have to adapt and. change and it's going to be such a fun. roller coaster to watch this and to. enjoy it. And selfishly now getting to. know you today, I'm so excited for you. that like you said, especially for. women, like how crazy that the first. contract negotiation that you did for.

Grey's Anatomy, you were turning 40 and. you're like, "Uh, well, this will. probably be it. I guess I'll take the. money." And now look at where you're. sitting. Yeah, crazy. And we're talking about 19. seasons. And then, here you are. And you got a new. career moment that's about to just. completely take off in a different. direction. And here we go again. It's wild. It's really wild. Last. question, what do you hope your legacy. is in this industry and what it will be?

That's a tough question. Yeah. Because also what I love is like did you. see Jane Fonda on the SAG Awards? Like. her consistency, right? I love. consistency. I love. Yes, she's that [ __ ] She's exactly who. she's always been. She was that then, got canceled for it in the '70s when she. was speaking up about us killing. children in a war. Mhm. And she's still speaking up and.

she's still using her voice. So, I guess. I guess that being said, I I'd really. like my legacy to be someone who used my. voice, my privilege, and my power to. help other people. It was more than an honor to sit with. you today. I got my fan girlness out. I. learned so much. I felt so inspired. I. felt connected. Like this was all the. things an interview I could ever ask. for. So, thank you so much, Ellen. You. are one of one. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.