Ellen Pompeo Faces Backlash For ‘Disrespecting’ Denzel Washington

Author Autumn Hawkins

October 1st, 2021 11:31 AM

Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo is receiving backlash for being disrespectful to Denzel Washington on the set of the ABC medical drama.

The Oscar-winning actor directed an episode of Grey’s Anatomy back in 2016 and apparently, things got a little heated on-set between the two. The Grey’s star recently discussed the incident on her podcast, Tell Me With Ellen Pompeo.

Per Newsweek, Pompeo recalled deviating from the script in an emotional scene, something she often does, and apparently, that did not sit well with Washington who corrected her. She said she improvised the line: “Look at me when you apologize—look at me!'” But that Washington stopped rolling and intervened.

“That wasn’t in the dialogue and Denzel went ham on my a–,” she said, adding: “He was like, ‘I’m the director. Don’t you tell him what to do.'”

Pompeo continued and went off on Washington saying: “I was like, ‘Listen, motherf—–, this is my show. This is my set. Who are you telling? You barely even know where the bathroom is.”

She also added: “Denzel’s a movie star, right? He doesn’t know s— about directing TV.”

Pompeo said the reason why Washington wanted to direct the show was because of his wife. “[He] did the show because his wife is a big fan. I think he saw it as a good exercise to just come in and direct something quick,” she said.

Despite their spat on set, Pompeo said that she has “utmost respect for [Washington] as an actor and director” and that working with him was “amazing.” The Grey’s star also said that the argument only happened because they are both actors.

“So, we didn’t get through it without a fight, but that’s actors for you.”

Although the incident happened nearly 5 years ago, Washington fans are not letting Pompeo sit this one down.

“Ellen Pompeo really disrespected Denzel Washington and proudly told the world like we were gonna be on her side…” one Washington fan wrote.

Washington has not spoken out publicly about the incident as of yet.

Look at more reactions about the incident from fans:

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Author Autumn Hawkins

Category:

• Celebrity Dirt
• Celebs
• Foxy99

Tags:

Denzel Washington,Ellen Pompeo