Ellen Pompeo Says Her Pay Grade Had Nothing to Do With Sarah Drew and Jessica Capshaw’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Departure
Yikes! Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo isn’t happy — and for good reason. Following news that Sarah Drew and Jessica Capshaw are leaving the hit medical drama, Deadline claimed, “the decision not to bring back Capshaw and Drew comes on the heels of the blockbuster new Pompeo pact that gave her a significant salary increase, paying her as much as $20 million a year.”
Sure, it was previously reported that Ellen will be making a whopping $575,000 per episode in her new contract with the show, which will extend through Season 15 and Season 16. However, the actress angrily noted that her pay raise has nothing to do with the staff shakeup. “I’m a big girl @DEADLINE can take shots at me if they want but to the fans please don’t fall into that trap. This is above my pay grade,” she tweeted on Thursday, March 8. “Its unfortunate that @DEADLINE chooses to try to pit women against eachother on #InternationalWomensDay #ShameOnYouNotMe,” another tweet read.
Both Jessica and Sarah took to social media after the news broke to thank Grey’s fans for everything. “Thank you for all of the love,” Sarah wrote on Twitter. “I know you’re sad. I’m sad too. I haven’t really had the time to process this information. I’ve been with it for less than 48 hours, so I’m not ready to say my thank yous and give an all-encompassing statement about my nine years here.”
She continued, “That will come later. For now, I’d like to say: I love you. And I love April, and her story isn’t over yet. And the really good news (for me, at least) is that I’m here on set shadowing one of my favorite people, Kevin McKidd, with my beloved Grey’s family all this week and next, so I get to process all of my feelings surrounded by the community that has nourished and nurtured me for almost a decade. For that, I am so grateful.”
Jessica wrote, “For the past ten years I have had the rare privilege of not only playing Arizona Robbins, but also being madly in love with playing her. She was one of the first members of the LGBTQ community to be represented in a series regular role on network television. Her impact on the world is forever. ”
And the show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, is sad to see them go just like we are. “It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to any of my characters,” she said about their exits. “Both Arizona Robbins and April Kepner are not only beloved but iconic — both the LBGTQ and devout Christian communities are underrepresented on TV. I will be forever grateful to both Jessica and Sarah for bringing these characters to life with such vibrant performance and for inspiring women around the globe. They will always be a part of our Shondaland family.” We’ll miss you, April and Arizona!
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