Ellen Pompeo Cussed Out Denzel Washington On "Grey's Anatomy" Set

BY Erika Marie 7.2K Views
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Ellen Pompeo, Denzel Washington
The TV star shared her side of the story as she revisited when Washington directed an episode of the series back in 2016.

There have been several guest directors on Grey's Anatomy, but apparently, Denzel Washington's inclusion stirred up controversy behind the scenes. The award-winning actor has dipped his toes in all facets of the industry, although he is best known for his applause-worthy portrayals in each and every film on his resumé.

However, when he directed "The Sound of Silence" back in 2016, Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo revealed she allegedly got into a heated discussion with Washington.

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The actress was on her Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo podcast with former co-star Patrick Dempsey when she recalled the interaction. According to Pompeo, she was in the middle of a scene and decided to improvise a few lines and yelled them at the other character. Because the lines weren't in the script, Pompeo claims Washington went off.

"That wasn't in the dialogue. And Denzel went ham on my ass. He was like, ‘I'm the director. Don't you tell him what to do,'" she said. "I was like, ‘Listen, motherf*cker, this is my show.' This is my set. Who are you telling?" Pompeo added that she has no animosity with Washington and they were able to lay aside their differences.

"So, we didn't get through it without a fight, but that's actors for you," she said. "Passionate and fiery and that's where you get the magic, and that's where you get the good stuff. So, it was an amazing experience, it really was."

Social media users made this story a trending topic and had much to say about Pompeo screaming at Denzel. Check it out below.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.