Ellen Pompeo is allegedly demanding a big paycheck to do the final season of Grey’s Anatomy, according to a tabloid.
Ellen Pompeo has become very popular for starring as Meredith Grey on ABC’s American medical drama TV series Grey’s Anatomy. However, she was allegedly making it difficult for the production to do the final season due to her cash demands.
Ellen Pompeo cash allegedly putting Grey’s Anatomy on life support
Ellen Pompeo is allegedly not satisfied with her pay despite making millions from Grey’s Anatomy. The series has run for 17 seasons already since it premiered on March 27, 2005.
Pompeo is allegedly asking for a $5 million pay raise if she were to do two more seasons on the show. She wanted a raise from $20 million to $25 million per year, an unnamed source told Globe.
Disney was reportedly pressured to get the deal done, so it could negotiate with the other cast members. However, Pompeo is allegedly a “tough negotiator,” which is why she is among the highest-paid actresses on TV.
Based on the tabloid’s report, it seemed that Pompeo is delaying the upcoming season with her demands, thereby putting the show on “life support.” Since Pompeo is playing a key character in the series, the producers would have to pay up and give in to her demands, the outlet noted.
Rumor debunked
Gossip Cop looked into the report and found a number of issues in it. First, Globe claimed that Ellen Pompeo should be grateful to Disney and should take less money. Well, it’s not a secret that she has fought for equal pay.
In 2018, she opened up about her battle for equal pay and even attempted to negotiate with former co-star Patrick Dempsey, who exited the show in 2015 and made multiple appearances in 2020.
Also, the outlet seemed to shame Pompeo for wanting a raise in her pay by accusing her of allegedly delaying the series. But contrary to what the outlet claimed, the show is not on life support and has actually been renewed for Season 18 already.
Gossip Cop also pointed out the tabloid’s reputation in making false reports about Pompeo. In 2019, it published a report claiming that she was not returning to the series. Pompeo had decided to quit the show over health issues, it reported. A year later, it published another report saying that her character would be killed off on the series, so she could get back to life.
Pompeo’s contract in the series was up after season 8. However, she had since assured fans that she had no plans on leaving the show.
“It’s a win-win: I have a great job, the show touches people and people find solace in the show and it’s entertaining. I don’t see what more I could want in a job,” she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2012.
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