Ellen Pompeo’s $20M TV Salary Sparks Drama: A Tale of Fame, Power, and Patriarchy

When Ellen Pompeo’s jaw-dropping $20 million salary for her role in "Grey’s Anatomy" was revealed in 2018, it wasn’t just headlines it stirred—it triggered warnings and whispers behind the scenes. Pompeo recently opened up about the seismic reaction during her appearance on the podcast "Call Her Daddy," where she shared how her then-manager prepped her for the storm ahead. "Are you ready to be unpopular?" he asked. Apparently, not everyone was ready to cheer for her payday.

Pompeo candidly admitted the backlash was unexpected, explaining that envy often fuels negativity. "It’s hard for people to celebrate others," she said, especially when someone achieves what others covet. But let's be honest—$20 million is a figure that turns heads, and maybe even a few stomachs.

Her salary—$575,000 per episode, a seven-figure signing bonus, and more—was the culmination of years as the face of ABC’s "Grey’s Anatomy," a show she has led since its debut in 2005. But Pompeo faced a unique scrutiny that, as the podcast’s host Alexandra Cooper pointed out, men seldom endure for their earnings. Pompeo didn’t hold back, calling it out for what it is: patriarchy and misogyny. "Sports players are celebrated for their crazy contracts," she said. "But when women make money, it’s somehow controversial." Preach, Ellen.

Pompeo has developed a method to rise above the negativity: focus on the work. "I’ve learned to stop thinking about myself and what people think of me," she said. Instead, she’s channeling her power into amplifying voices that lack her privilege. "F--- what people think of me," she declared. "What matters is using my power for good." That’s a mic-drop moment right there.

Reflecting on her salary negotiation, Pompeo revealed she knew the value she brought to "Grey’s Anatomy." "It’s my face, my voice," she said, noting how much the show has generated for ABC. Calling herself "the Disney princess of the franchise," she made it clear she had the receipts to justify her pay. But earning that paycheck wasn’t without hurdles, especially compared to her male counterpart, Patrick Dempsey, who earned more for the pilot episode despite Pompeo’s Meredith Grey being the titular character.

"To be fair, he had done 13 pilots before me," Pompeo acknowledged, defending Dempsey’s initial higher rate. "He was a bigger star at the time." Yet, her frustration lay with the network’s failure to value her on par with him despite her central role. "I wasn’t salty about him getting what he got," she clarified. "I was salty they didn’t value me as much as they valued him." It’s a story all too familiar for women in any field, isn’t it?

Pompeo’s fight for pay equity wasn’t just about the money—it was about demanding respect for her contributions. And if her salary reveal made some uncomfortable? Well, as she said, "Don’t hate the player, hate the game." Whether you’re a fan of "Grey’s Anatomy" or not, you’ve got to respect the hustle.