Ellen Pompeo in L.A. Confidential
Thanks to the many fans who alerted us to this interview. It is, as the magazine bills it, just what the doctor ordered.
In a candid conversation with Ellen Pompeo, who’s every bit as outspoken as she is stylish, L.A. Confidential Magazine gives us one of the best looks yet at the Grey’s Anatomy star we’ve come to know and love.
If Pompeo had to write an essay on “What I Did on My Summer Vacation,” it would probably be about the globe-trotting she’s done - New York, Paris, Japan — in the weeks leading up to the new season of her hit show.
It’s been a wild ride for the 37-year-old Boston native, who got engaged in November to fellow Bostonian Chris Ivery.
Ellen Pompeo’s first blip on the Hollywood radar came as Jake Gyllenhaal’s love interest in Moonlight Mile (2002).
She popped up again here and there in smaller roles in memorable movies like Old School and Catch Me If You Can. But in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy suddenly thrust her fully into the spotlight.
Pompeo shines as Meredith Grey, the intern whose sexual exploits and professional struggles are chronicled in excruciating detail each week, much to the delight of the show’s 25 million-plus loyal viewers who keep tuning in to ogle Grey’s McLoveInterest du jour.
Unlike her character, however, Ellen Pompeo is anything but indecisive.
Full of opinions on everything from young Hollywood to the media, Pompeo just calls it like she sees it - a refreshing trait in a town where honesty is so rarely the best policy.
“I just think the media should take this country in a different direction. We’re so focused on the wrong things,” she says. “We’re teaching young girls that this is what they should be focusing on: rich and famous girls who are rich and famous for nothing. What are we doing to this younger generation? It’s not very responsible.”
Follow the jump to read Ellen’s interview …
Los Angeles Confidential: You’ve been traveling a lot during your hiatus. Is that how you typically spend your time off?
Ellen Pompeo: I think it’s important as an actor to get away and experience different cultures. It enriches you. I’m fortunate that the show’s in so many different countries and that they’re nice enough to invite us [to visit]. They treat us so wonderfully. You know, I spend 10 months of the year in Los Angeles, acting. So I think it’s really important to travel and have rich real-life experiences to bring to my acting when I come back to the show. Your whole life can’t be about work or Hollywood.
LAC: And planning your wedding? When will you fit that in?
EP: Oh my goodness. I swear we’re going to get married at some time. We’re just trying to fit it all in. It won’t be a big ceremony — we want one thing to ourselves.
LAC: A lot of TV actors make movies while they’re on hiatus. You started out in film; do you still have an interest in that?
EP: Certainly, and I get a lot of very interesting offers from some pretty remarkable people, but I can’t take advantage of them because the show doesn’t let me. I’m lucky the show is so successful: I never have to do another movie I’m not proud of. I can be super, super picky. So unless it’s an A-list director and an A-list script, and an A-list cast, I don’t really have the desire to be in movies just to prove that I can. I know I can, because I came from movies.
LAC: You’re contracted for six seasons, right?
EP: Yes, although I just signed on for a seventh. The show could end tomorrow, but if they want me for seven seasons, I have to oblige. I’ve committed to them. They can let us go anytime they want, but we can’t leave anytime we want.
LAC: On that topic, during the Isaiah Washington controversy you seemed to steer clear of making any substantive comment on his being fired from the show. Is that because you feel there’s not much for you to say?
EP: I think so. It’s better to not exacerbate it. I think everybody’s tired of it. For me, what’s important is to move forward, do whatever I can personally to make sure this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.
LAC: Another thing that’s been done to death in your past interviews is this obsession with your weight. Why do you think people care so much?
EP: I guess it’s a normal question from the media because I’m really thin. The dangerous thing about it is that I get a ton of fan mail from little girls — from seven years old to 16 — about how they love me and I’m a role model for them. And I think the media is really irresponsible in portraying me as having an eating disorder. I just worry about the girls who look up to me — I don’t want them to think I starve myself or don’t eat, and that to be like me that’s what they have to do.
LAC: Why is it so hard for people to wrap their heads around the fact that some women are naturally thin?
EP: You know what’s funny? I understand if you see a picture of someone who was 40 pounds heavier three years before; then the weight loss is very dramatic and obvious. But you’ll never find a picture of me where I’m a lot heavier than I am now. I’ve only ever fluctuated two to three pounds in my whole [adult] life.
LAC: Do you have any interest in having children of your own someday?
EP: I do. I do. With the show, I just don’t know if it’s entirely fair to myself and to everybody else right now. We’ll see what happens.
LAC: So after your travels you immediately start work on season four. What would you like to see happen to Meredith this year? Last season was kind of bananas…
EP: [Laughs] Yeah, it was! I’m much better off not having any expectations. The reality is that I have to be Zen about it because I have absolutely no control over what they do. I’m just happy to have a job and I love my job, and I love the people I work with. Whatever happens, it’s OK. It’s not a bad way to make a living.
LAC: When did you realize Grey’s Anatomy was a hit? Was it clear to you from the minute you got the script?
EP: It was two years in, when I got invited to do the Oprah Winfrey Show. I thought, okay, well, this has clearly gone to another level now.
LAC: You’ve been nominated for a Golden Globe before. What’s your take on awards shows?
EP: Of course it’s nice to be nominated. I don’t live or die by it, but it’s very flattering. To be nominated would be a nice compliment. There are fantastic actresses in this category every year. But at end of the day, we’re not saving lives. We’re just actors.
LAC: Speaking of saving lives, now that you’ve been doing the show for a while, do you think you could perform a real-life medical procedure if you had to?
EP: [Laughs] Absolutely not! But I could call 911 very well.
LAC: Have you given any thought as to who you’ll be wearing to the Emmys?
EP: No, I haven’t, but I know I’ll be wearing something a lot lighter than last year. I’d just gotten back from the Dior couture show in Paris and I wore this beautiful velvet dress that John [Galliano] gave me. And it was gorgeous, but it was so hot.
LAC: Well, it’s always better to be comfortable at these things.
EP: [Laughs] Yeah, it is, but it’s kind of impossible. There’s no such thing as a comfortable gown.
what a great interview…..you know if i didn’t see that youtube video where she got punk’d i would absolutely love her! (she was so catty in the video, but maybe it was a bad day and she was feeling overly jealous of her bf and the waitress). anyhow, she seems very real and cool, but again who knows how long they can take to prepare their answers. we need to see her on a barbara walters special to really gauge her personality!
This has to be the worst interview she did. I’m sorry, but she came like a total snob in this interview especially only doing A-List movies part. I’m sorry, but she is not an A-List star. Heck, I know for a fact she isn’t a household name. She is barely recognizable, and the work she did before Grey’s not many of the general public know about except for Old School.
I was giving this girl the benefit of the doubt ever since that Punk’d incident, but I guess the rumors are true about her. What a shame.
I THINK SHE IS GREAT, SHE IS SO DOWN TO EARTH, IF SHE CAN CHOOSE WHAT SHE WANT’S TO DO, MORE POWER TO HER.
Ellen rocks & she looks SERIOULY HOT in those photos. & i´m SO happy she´s signed for up to seven seasons. I hope patrick has done the same. I know he´s sighned up six seasons
Ellen rocks!
This was a very nice interview. but the best one came after it, it was released two days ago from the UK in the Telegraph newspaper.
She is very down to earth and human. And you feel with her.
I can’t understand how you can judge her like that from her interview, it seems you didn’t understand her words, or read the full interview.
She is very down to earth and friendly form all the fans you met her. And from what her costars say about her.
I personally think Ellen is great in every way because she is human and shows it. You relate to her.
thanks for posting the interview.
I think you should post the Telegraph interview as well. Its even better than this one.
can’t wait for season 4 to start.
i reaally love ellen pompeo,,,,she’s so hot omg she really rock my world,,,how i wish i can see you personally..
That was a great interview. I just hope that more people would appreciate her more. She’s one great lady.
i love her soooooo mush she is soo great and down to earth and just plain amazing thank you soo much for posting that it was great!!!!!!!
Reading that interview just made my day. I really enjoyed it. And ellen handled the questions very well. emmm… why will anyone think she is a snob? seriously? what will be the point in her doing just any movie if she doesnt like it? Sandra Oh is a very talented actress and i am sure she also had many offers. But we havent thus far seen her in any recent movie have we? My point is, personally i think its better not to do a movie at all, if at the end of the day its going to be a flop.
In response to “What a snob” comment post Number 2. Did you at all read the entire interview and understood it? Ellen said ” I can’t take advantage of them because the show doesn’t let me. I never have to do another movie I’m not proud of” it means theremay be some movies she did, but was not proud of. May be before she needed the money and therefore had to do just any movie that comes her way. But not anymore. Now she has the opportunity of choosing which ones she wants to do.
For the love of God is that a bad thing? I think this is one of the best ellen’s interviews i have read. No offence but did you also wrote you were giving Ellen Pompeo the benefit of the doubt? you have got to be kidding me.
Hafsa I agree with you, Any actor and actress successful on a tv show has every right to choose the movies they want to be in, Since they have a steady tv job.
Ellen just signed for 7 seasons, so she gurranteed a few good seasons ahead, even if Grey’s stops in the coming couple of seasons, which I hope not, she has secured a place with ABC for being a very popular tv actress for the fans. So they will star her in another show and so on… so they have the right to say no to movies that have little roles or roles with no real strong charecters behind them.
I love this interview, and I have to agree with the writer who said the UK Telegrpah interview that came out yesterday is even stronger and more comprehensive for Ellen. A rare one that is.
She is a really nice person it seems, sweet and kind. down to earth and lovely. and a kicka$$ actress for that matter.
the uk interview
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/fashion/2007/08/19/st_ellenpompeo.xml
I have soo much respect and love for her after reading those two interviews, even more than before.
Hey “Love Ellen” thanks for the link. Again great interview. I felt really sad when she was talking about her mum and she said ” I had everybody but the one person I really wanted”.
that was a really sad interview about her mum and i felt bad for ellen and thank you soo much ”love ellen” i really needed that interview
Thanks for the link to that interview! It was amazing. It makes me actually want to like her because I know at times I don’t like her.
I’m so excited for next season, not to mention the 6 and 7th. Let’s just live life in the moment, who knows if their popularity will continue after Isiah Washington leaving.
You are welcome everyone.
I’m glad to share this interview because I think all Grey fans should read it, specially Ellen fans. Its a rare one where it tackles private issues and Ellen was comfortable enough to talk about them to this reporter. It shows a very human sad side of Ellen, but a strong optimistic one at the same time.
I love it.
Ellen Pompeo was the reason I started watching Grey’s Anatomy. I became a big fan of hers after watching Moonlight Mile and when I saw she was doing this show, I started watching and of course, Meredith became my favorite character.
Meredith, like so many women has issues in her life. She’s an everyday woman who is so relatable for many of us who watch. We cheer this character on and want her to find happiness. I feel the same for the actress that plays her. She seems warm and full of respect for what she has. That’s so rare for celebs anymore.
It’s little wonder why her co stars like her so. She makes GA for me every week.
She is amazing.
I know this has already been said, but I have to say it again, Ellen is such an incredible person, she is such an inspiration, and she has such a good head on her shoulders, I loved this interview, and I am so happy that she has found success, because if one person deserved it, it’s her. This makes me so excited for Grey’s again, to me Ellen makes the show what it is, because she is such a phenomenal actress. These pictures are also really gorgeous, she is so stunningly beautiful, it’s almost not normal.
Ellen Pompeo is my reason for wathcing Grey’s Anatomy. She is an amazing actress and even more wonderful person. I love these interviews thanks for sharing everyone.
She looks stunning in all those photos.
She os one amazing woman.
Love her and admire her more and more. She’s a great role model. forgiving, down to earth, loving person. Who actually thinks of others for a change.
I hope she gets credit for her great acting as well. Maybe a Golden Globe in the coming few months. sad about the Emmys, she was snubed big time, oh well, atleast her fans know shes great.
Hmmm……. after reading some comments, i just felt i have to say something.
firstly, it is a well known fact that people either like you or hate you no matter what. However, its still not right to jugde a person from what the media say. Secondly, this interview doesnt sound right at all. Ellen, sounded like she is really missing her mum, which concerns me. She has never ever said much about her mum before, but she did now. People only miss their dead mum when they feel alone or scared. Thirdly, i watched a couple of GA co stars on set videos some months back and i particularly saw ellen playing around. One she was on T. R’s back and the other she was laughing at what patrick dempsey was saying. That to me doesnt look like a diva behaviour. Also, ellen in almost all her interviews always said she is grateful for having a job and she loves the people she works with. Fourthly, i have never read any interviews were any of her co stars said something negative about her. But like i said, people will either love you or hate you no matter what. I know for a fact that ellen’s fan(which is growing by the way) will continue to love her, while on the other hand, people who dont like her will never will no matter what she says or do.
I always enjoy ellen’s interview’s. She is always honest about her feelings and situations. She comes across as a REAL PERSON. That truly UNDERSTANDS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REAL WORLD. What I really like about her is that she bolts out of hollywood the first chance she can get.She knows who the phonies are. She works there 10 months out of the year. Who in their right mind wants to be in that environment any longer than they need to. She is a good actor. As time goes on I’m hoping the films she picks will allow everyone to see what a great actor she really is. I love old movies,so, for me she reminds me of a (Young Lauren Bacall or Kate Hepburn). As the years go on she will become one of the greats. Ellen definitely is NOT A SNOB.
ummm…how is she snoby?[someone above made a comment about how she’s snoby or how she came off snoby] I must have missed something. I guess I’ll read read the article again just in case I missed something but I’m sure that I didn’t.
I think she’s an amazing actress and she has every right to pick her projects. She is the only reason that I am going to tune in to Grey’s Anatomy next season.
Snob??!! Really??!! I hope you are an american poster. Ellen isn’t a snob, she’s the opposite.
I think you need a doctor..
I love Ellen. She makes Greys anatomy happen for me. Wonderful heart and soul.
Thank you
Ellen is Grey’s Anatomy. People who hate her are free to watch another show.
Great pictures and another wonderful interview.
Ellen is amazing. all my respect and adoration go straight to her..
does anybody have the link to where i can see her on punkd in youtube? i really want to see that..thanks!
I love Ellen also but this interview just doesn’t seem right. In this interview it just seem she had a lot of doubt and talked about things she never had before. One thing that caught my attention between this interview and the other one posted here it says her and Chris are trying for children. Yet the other interview states she feels this is not the right time. It may just be me but I’ve been a GA fan from the start and try not to miss anything but I could be miss reading this one.
Of course I messed up already and posted my comment in the wrong place. That’s what I get for trying to study two pages at once.
Hi MerDer2perfect you didn´t miss the article i noticed that too. maybe they miss qouted her. You know what the media are like. Or maybe they made it up to cause some contraversary
The La Confidential interview is the new one. THe uk telegraph interview was from June, but was published now. thats why the trying for kids story changed, it was 3 months ago.
I adore Ellen
the pictures here are amazing.
Both great interview.
more power to Ellen.
does anyone know where to contact her for her fan mail??