Ellen Pompeo, known for her role as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy, recently shared her true feelings about one of the most iconic lines from the show. On the latest episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, Pompeo revealed that she wasn’t a fan of the famous “Pick me, choose me, love me” scene, where her character begs Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) to leave his wife for her. In fact, Pompeo expressed disbelief over having to deliver such a line, even saying, “Girl. bye,” in response to Meredith’s desperate plea.
Pompeo’s Initial Resistance: Why She Didn’t Want to Beg
Ellen Pompeo admitted that when she first encountered the line in the script, she was not enthusiastic about delivering it. “There was a lot of stuff that I didn’t wanna do at the time,” she explained during the podcast interview. Specifically, she had strong reservations about Meredith begging a man to choose her, which she found uncomfortable and embarrassing. “Why would I beg, why would I?” Pompeo questioned, reflecting her discomfort with portraying such vulnerability on screen. For Pompeo, it didn’t align with her personal view of strong, independent women, which is how she saw Meredith.
However, despite her resistance, Pompeo acknowledged that series creator Shonda Rhimes had a vision for the show and the characters that she trusted, even when she didn’t fully understand it at the time. “She knew that was gonna pop,” Pompeo recalled, admitting that Rhimes was right in knowing that the line would resonate with audiences in ways they couldn’t predict. This scene would go on to become one of the most memorable moments in Grey’s Anatomy history, cementing its place in pop culture.
Pompeo’s initial hesitation and subsequent acceptance of the line serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best moments in television don’t always come from the most comfortable or expected places. While she was initially doubtful about the impact of the line, Pompeo now acknowledges that it turned out to be one of the defining moments of her career. It’s a testament to the creative process—what may seem awkward or unnecessary at first can often become something iconic.
The Surprising Success of the Line: From Resistance to Iconic Status
Despite her initial hesitation, Ellen Pompeo has since come to terms with the impact of the “Pick me, choose me, love me” line. “It ended up being the biggest thing ever, the most iconic thing ever,” she admitted on the Call Her Daddy podcast. This statement reveals the unpredictability of success in show business, where what may seem like a cringe-worthy moment in the moment can end up becoming a cornerstone of a television series. For Pompeo, the line became something she could never have anticipated, and it continues to be a fan favorite, cited often by viewers of the show.
Pompeo also shared with Katherine Heigl in a 2023 Variety interview how she fought hard against the speech. She revealed that she couldn’t understand why Meredith had to beg Derek in such an emotional and desperate way. “I can’t beg a man on TV, this is so embarrassing,” she had thought at the time. However, as Pompeo acknowledges now, the scene became one of the most memorable and successful moments in Grey’s Anatomy history, resonating deeply with the audience. This surprising success reflects how sometimes, even when actors may not fully agree with the direction of a scene, the final product can still capture the audience’s hearts.
It’s not just the line itself that stands out in the scene, but the emotional depth Pompeo brought to it. The tears that Meredith sheds in the scene were real for Pompeo, who admitted that she was crying not just for the character’s heartbreak but also for the fact that she had to beg a man on television, which felt like an uncomfortable act of submission. Nevertheless, the raw emotion in Pompeo’s performance only added to the authenticity of the scene, cementing its place as a defining moment in Grey’s Anatomy’s history.
Behind-the-Scenes Realities: The Uncomfortable and Emotional Moments on Set
In addition to discussing the iconic line, Pompeo also opened up about other emotional and difficult moments on the Grey’s Anatomy set, particularly during the filming of a traumatic season 2 sex scene with co-star T.R. Knight. Reflecting on the uncomfortable atmosphere during the shoot, Pompeo revealed that both she and Knight were not thrilled about the scene. “The scene was so uncomfortable and awkward,” she recalled. “He didn’t wanna do that. I didn’t wanna do it.” The discomfort of filming this scene was so intense that Pompeo and Knight both shed real tears during the process, highlighting the emotional toll that certain moments can have on actors.
Pompeo’s candidness about the behind-the-scenes struggles on Grey’s Anatomy gives fans a glimpse into the challenges actors face while creating intense, emotional scenes. While fans may have seen the final product as a dramatic and powerful moment in the series, the reality was that it was an uncomfortable and emotionally taxing experience for both Pompeo and Knight. The raw emotion that came through in their performances was a result of this discomfort, making the scene even more powerful for viewers.
This insight into the uncomfortable realities of acting on a long-running show like Grey’s Anatomy shows the dedication and vulnerability required of actors to bring authenticity to their roles. The moments of resistance, discomfort, and even real emotion that Pompeo and her co-stars experienced on set were ultimately what made these moments resonate so deeply with the audience. It’s a testament to the professionalism and emotional commitment of the cast, who brought their characters and stories to life in such a profound way.