“Shonda allowed me to have a career” - Ellen Pompeo praises Shonda Rhimes during Hollywood Walk of Fame honor

Actress and producer Ellen Pompeo was recently honored with a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the ceremony, Pompeo was surrounded by her family as they cheered for her. Besides them, Pompeo also mentioned Shonda Rhimes in her speech as she thanked her stating she "allowed me to have a career."

The Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo was seen donning a rose pink turtleneck with a printed skirt. She was joined by her husband, Chris Ivery and two of their three kids: Stella and Eli. While posing for a picture with her family, Pompeo asked her family to say "Sienna", the name of their 10-year-old daughter who could not attend the event.

She thanked her entire family for their support throughout her career. However, the highlight of her speech was her thanking Shonda Rhimes, the woman responsible for the hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy. In her speech, she credited Rhimes for her extravagant career.

"Shonda allowed me to have a career, and get paid and be a mother," the actress said.

On the other hand, Shonda Rhimes, who also spoke during the ceremony, revealed why she was a bit terrified of Ellen Pompeo after their first meeting. For the unversed, Rhimes was the actual brains behind the popular medical drama Grey's Anatomy. With her writing proficiency, she created a world that centered around Meredith Grey.

Rhimes revealed that she met Ellen Pompeo over lunch two decades ago. While the lunch must have gone well, it also left the writer-producer terrified.

"After that lunch I went home and I literally wrote in my journal – I actually looked it up – ‘This girl is a spitfire, she will lay you out with the truth, up, down and sideways."

"I was absolutely thrilled and a little bit terrified because it’s rare to meet somebody like her," Rhimes added.

She further lauded Pompeo for staying true to herself. Rhimes argued that "very few people actually are who they present themselves to be but Ellen is exactly who she says she is, and you’re one of a kind."

"She’s fierce and funny and thoughtful and caring. She’s a businesswoman, a talented actor, a kind friend and a great mom."

She further continued,

"I don’t care who you are, even if you’re the most powerful showrunner in TV, if you step out of line, Ellen will tell you about yourself!"

How did Ellen Pompeo and Shonda Rhimes become friends?

Ellen Pompeo and Shonda Rhimes allegedly met two decades ago as Grey's Anatomy first debuted in 2005. The show, which has broken many records to date, follows the life of Meredith Grey, a surgeon at Seattle Grace-Mercy West Hospital.

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It showcases the journey of surgical interns and their supervisors and the challenges that they face in their daily lives.

Rhimes is the showrunner, head writer, creator, and executive producer. After overcoming numerous hurdles, the show has successfully completed 21 seasons.

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