'Grey's Anatomy' Star Ellen Pompeo Reveals the Reason Why She Stayed on the Show for 15 Years – What Is It?

Ellen Pompeo has disclosed her reason for remaining a part of “Grey’s Anatomy” for almost two decades.

For the last fifteen years, Ellen Pompeo has played the role of Dr. Meredith Grey on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” and her continued participation has garnered some questions from fans.

CNBC reported that Ellen answered the question of why she hadn’t left the medical show yet when she appeared on Spotify’s “Jemele Hill Is Unbothered” podcast recently.

Ellen has been open about her fight for equal pay like her former “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star, Patrick Dempsey.

According to the mother-of-three, she made “a decision to make money and not chase creative acting roles. That’s what, ultimately, I think, the hustler in me—I don't like chasing anything, ever.”

The deal Ellen struck with “Grey’s Anatomy” has become such a good one that it has earned her a spot as one of the highest-paid women in Hollywood.

During the 14th season of the show, Ellen argued for a deal that would earn her $575,000 per episode, producing fees, back-end equity, and a mouth-watering signing bonus.

The success she’s currently enjoying has been a long time coming as Vanity Fair revealed that Ellen has been open about her fight for equal pay like her former “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star, Patrick Dempsey.

In 2018, Ellen claimed that she had asked for “$5,000 more than him just on principle,” because the show name is “Grey’s Anatomy,” and her character is Meredith Grey.

The change she was asking for eventually came after Patrick left the show in 2015, and Ellen subsequently signed a contract that catapulted her to the status of the highest-paid drama actress on television.

Cheat Sheet noted that before he began his “Grey’s Anatomy” journey, Patrick had appeared in a series of projects such as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “Outbreak.”

It was, however, his role as Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd that made him a famous name and face. Since he walked away from the career-changing series, Patrick has directed his attention to producing projects and auto racing.

The 54-year-old has also dedicated time to running the foundation he and his siblings started in honor of their mother, Amanda, who died in March 2014 after a battle with ovarian cancer.