Ellen Pompeo hits out at “really shitty” ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ residual streaming payments
Despite the popularity of Grey’s Anatomy, actor Ellen Pompeo has criticses the “really shitty and really unfair” residual streaming payments.
Pompeo has played the titular character in the show for more than two decades and contributed to all 21 seasons of the hit programme, which has become a billion-dollar commercial juggernaut for ABC and Disney.
In addition to being a hugely successful show in terms of ratings, it is also available to stream on Disney+ and is one of the most popular series on the platform.
However, in a new interview with Variety, Pompeo said: “Them having the ability to use my voice, my likeness, my image, 47 billion minutes a year and not paying me a penny wouldn’t really feel great to me.”
Regarding the payment structure, Pompeo explained that streaming wasn’t an entity when the first ten series aired. Therefore, it wasn’t included in their contract, stating, “People don’t stream the last 10 years more than they stream the first 10 years. Most people stream the first 10 years the most, and there’s no residual structures for any of those writers, actors, directors.”
She continued: “That, to me, is really shitty and really unfair. So, me being on the show a little bit and still getting to at least make money from them profiting off of us is more digestible for me. That’s why I stay on, to be honest.”
In the same issue, Pompeo proudly spoke about her ability “to keep a show on the air for 20 years,” which she believes proves she is “somewhat talented.” However, she believes that she has “never been critically recognized” for Grey’s Anatomy.
Pompeo added: “I think I’ve worked so hard and for so long that, yeah, I’d like a little bit of probably a pat on the back from someone to think I have some sort of talent.”
Aside from Grey’s Anatomy, she is currently starring in the hard-hitting drama series Good American Family which is based on the true story of Natalia Grace.
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