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Fans were devastated when longtimeGrey’s AnatomystarsSarah DrewandJessica Capshawwerewritten off the showthis spring — and some immediately blamed series leadEllen Pompeo, who had recently negotiated a$20 million salary.
Pompeo, 48, hasvigorously denied the accusations, and series creatorShonda Rhimeshas also stressed that the actresses’ exits were strictly creative decisions.
Speaking to PEOPLE at theMarie ClairePower Trip, a women’s empowerment conference, Pompeo opened up about her relationships with her former costars, with whom she remains friends.
“Of course [they are missed]. We don’t see them every day anymore, of course, because they don’t come to set,” Pompeo said. “We all have gone through the experience of what it is to work onGrey’s, which is deep, intense and emotional. We do 10 months out of the year, but actors come and go. It’s our business.”
Kathryn Wirsing
Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner for nine seasons, has said watching the show after departing istoo painful, and Pompeo can understand.
“Of course I don’t know firsthand and I don’t want to speak for anybody, but I think it’s probably a rush of emotions, because it’s almost like the party goes on after you leave,” she said. “I don’t want to hear that the party kept going all night long and that it got better or had more people or was more fun, you know. And actors are emotional creatures. We’re very sensitive.”
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Ultimately, while she wasshocked at the backlashshe faced over Drew and Capshaw’s exits, Pompeo said it has only empowered her topublicly discuss her salary even more. Now, it’s her goal to encourage other women to speak up and demand what they’re worth — and support one another.
Amanda Friedman
“We can’t compete against each other and compare ourselves to one another,” she continued. “it’s not productive, and it’s not healthy. It’s not good for our mental health. We need to take care of each other and support each other and love each other, and that, I think, feels better. And supports a healthier state of mind.”
source: people.com
