Ellen Pompeo stopped by The Drew Barrymore Show today, as she opened up about her shocking decision to finally leave Grey’s anatomy after almost two decades.
The actress – who has starred as Meredith Gray on the long-running medical drama since season one – announced last month that she was leaving the show, with its final episode airing in February 2023. When Drew asked Barrymore about her decision, Pompeo revealed that she felt “super lucky.”
“The show was incredible for me and I love a lot of those experiences,” she said. “I have to mix that up a bit. I’m 53. My brain is like scrambled eggs. I have to do something new… You know, I can’t The New York Times crossword puzzles every day.”
She continued, “I mean, 19 years is longer than people keep their kids in their home. People keep their kids at home until they’re 18 and then send them off to college. So this is like going to college.”
Barrymore went on to commend Pompeo for “standing up for women” and “changing the industry for women by demanding equal pay.” Despite portraying the show’s title role, the actress spoke about the double standards in a previous interview with diversity, where she revealed co-star Patrick Dempsey was paid “double” her salary until season three.
“You made that risk so personal, but you made it bigger than you and that’s why everyone rallied around you,” said Barrymore, who admitted she was “in awe of” Pompeo. “You stayed on that show, you got paid more, you changed the game for other women. You became more successful, more respected and in a way you made your publicist’s job easier because you won the battle.”
However, Pompeo revealed that while many people rallied around her, those within her inner circle remained the mother — including her Grey’s anatomy peers.
“So many people who weren’t in my inner circle have reached out to me. The people around me? It was dead quiet on the set that day. You could have heard a pin drop,” she revealed. “So when your life changes, when you’re brave and fearless and speaking your mind, don’t expect everyone to stand up and cheer for you. Because they don’t.”
The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS.