Ellen Pompeo Reacts To Rumors That Her Grey's Anatomy Salary Forced Co-Stars' Exit

Ellen Pompeo is speaking out about some recent gossip.

During an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show that aired on Thursday, March 22, 2018, Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo commented on rumors that her salary caused the show to give two actors the boot. "It's absolutely not true," Pompeo revealed to host Ellen DeGeneres, denying that her $20 million salary didn't allow producers to keep on her co-stars Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew.

"I mean, I'm not involved in these kinds of decisions. However, there's a few problems that you encounter doing a show for 14 seasons," Pompeo explained. "One of them is the writers have a really hard time creatively thinking up new stories for all these characters. I think we have 16 regular cast members, and it's always sad when we lose people—whether they want to go or they don't want to go. It doesn't make it any easier."

She continued, "You don't have to pit [women] against each other. We're not enemies," adding, "We do lift each other up and support each other, and we're not victims. We're very strong and we're capable of many, many things."

Pompeo previously revealed her massive salary in an article published by The Hollywood Reporter in January 2018. She secured her hefty paychecks by signing a new deal with Grey's Anatomy in late 2017, locking down $575,000 per episode and becoming the highest-paid actress on a TV drama.

Regarding her THR piece, Pompeo told DeGeneres, "I think there are certain moments where it's important to be really truthful about our pain and about our struggles." She added, "Sometimes you have to go through painful things to just be an example."