It’s hard to imagine what television was like before the tension and drama filled series of showrunner Shonda Rhimes came about. Starting with the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy in 2005, her dominance of programming on ABC grew almost overnight.
With the introduction of more shows, including Private Practice, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, Thursday nights have been dedicated to Shondaland programming. Although some her shows like Off the Map, The Catch, and Still Star-Crossed fell flat, her current programming continuously brings in viewers week after week. Additionally, new programs including For the People and the Netflix series Station 19 will carry the Shondaland world ever forward.
However, as addicting as the drama on the shows may be, they dull in comparison to the real-life issues of the stars of the Shondaland shows. Some controversial behaviors lurk in their pasts while others have taken over their lives while starring on their respective shows. In fact, quite a few scandals have led to their termination from their Shondaland series. Too bad Olivia Pope could not help them in real life.
From creepy behavior to issues of prejudice and violence, here are the 16 Shadiest Things About Shondaland.
16. Ellen Pompeo: Twitter Drama
In the past, interviews with popular media outlets and magazines served as the best way for celebrities to express themselves, However, with the rising popularity of social media, stars can quickly post their feelings, reaching an even broader audience in mere seconds. However, these unchecked statements tend to land many celebrities in hot water.
Lead actress Ellen Pompeo continues to get into trouble because of her social media use.
In 2006, while expressing her gratitude for a racism documentary getting a needed name change, she decided to incorporate black emojis in her tweet. She later argued with several users concerning racism and her marriage to a black man.
Pompeo made headlines again this year when she called out director Woody Allen for his past discretions pointing out “he married his daughter...people see what they want to see or don't...Kind of hard not to see who this fool is.”
15. Kerry Washington: Photoshopping Controversies
Over the years, unrealistic beauty standards continue to dictate the actions of many magazine publishers. Editors feel the need to edit their cover models to appear to have the perfect body, complexion, and features. However, when Scandal actress Kerry Washington saw the results of her photoshoots with AdWeek and InStyle, she quickly spoke up to condemn their actions.
Fans of the show promptly complained about the InStyle issue, stating that Washington’s complexion had been noticeably lightened. Regarding the AdWeek cover, Washington shared on Instagram that “it felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror. It is an unfortunate feeling."
Though she loved the content of the articles themselves, the Photoshopped covers put a damper on her overall excitement.
14. Chyler Leigh: Kissed Her Own Brother Onscreen
Long before her role of Alexandra "Alex" Danvers on the DC Comics TV show Supergirl, actress Chyler Leigh rose to fame on Grey’s Anatomy. Playing Dr. Lexie Grey (aka Little Grey), she debuted as Meredith’s younger sister in season 3. Leigh continued the role until her character passed in the season 8 finale in 2012.
Although the part of Lexie became a high point in her career, Leigh’s acting resume includes one very cringey role that she probably wants to forget about. In the 1997 film Kickboxing Academy, she and her real-life brother, Christopher Khayman Lee, played the roles of love interests in the movie. Not only did they date onscreen but they kissed… several times!
Though this low budget film held a very limited audience, those creepy kisses will forever remain captured on film.
13. T.R. Knight: Quit Because Of Reduced Screen Time
Although actor T.R. Knight dealt with many issues while a part of the cast of Grey’s Anatomy, his time on the show continued to be an unpleasant experience. With the drama with Isaiah Washington in the past, Knight resumed his role as Dr. George O'Malley but with reduced appearances.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, “… For the first nine episodes of season 5, he appeared on screen a total of only 48 minutes.” However, he apparently never spoke to Rhimes regarding his reduced role and, instead, chose to leave the show. Although Rhimes attempted to change his mind, Knight felt it best for his career to leave the show, shocking fans everywhere.
However, Knight seemed content with his decision stating that “There just comes a time when it’s so clear that moving on is the best decision.” Dr. O’Malley made his final appearance in the season 6 episode "Good Mourning."
12. Patrick Dempsey: Diva and Infidelity stories
Grey’s Anatomy fans were shocked when main cast member Patrick Dempsey left the show in 2015. Considering Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka McDreamy) had been a fixture on the show for 11 seasons, no one would have guessed that his character would be eliminated. However, Dempsey’s departure allegedly occurred due to some inexcusable behaviors onset.
According to PageSix.com, “Patrick has been acting like a diva and has clashed with Shonda. She suspended him for a while, and the word on set is that he is not coming back full time.” In addition, rumors circulated that Dempsey began having an affair with a staff member in August 2014.
Creator Shonda Rhimes finally had enough and brought an end to McDreamy’s time on the show. Since then, the two had had very little to say about the departure and even fewer kind words to say about each other.
11. Scott Foley: Fired Due To Rumored Conflicts with Washington
Although co-stars Kerry Washington and Scott Foley played lovers onscreen, their off-screen relationship may not have been quite as loving. On an appearance on Ellen, Washington admitted she did not enjoy kissing Foley nor co-star Tony Goldwyn. Although she cited awkwardness as the reason for her displeasure, this could have been an indication of deeper issues on the show.
Star Magazine reported that their growing dislike for each other many have even led to Foley being eliminated from the show. As stated in their article: “Sources say Kerry Washington’s tense relationship with on-screen boyfriend Scott Foley is what got his character riddled with stab wounds on the season finale.”
Given Washington’s close relationship with showrunner Shonda Rhimes, we could see her removing Foley to keep the star of the show happy.
10. Taye Diggs: Stories of Infidelity and A Tape
Broadway fans delighted in the fact that Rent co-stars Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel found love while working together. Leaving Broadway, Diggs moved on to guest star on Grey’s Anatomy and then co-star in its spin-off Private Practice. While his career continued to blossom, his personal life began to crumble.
News broke in 2013 that Diggs and Menzel had filed for divorce.
Rumors further spread that the divorce was due to Diggs alleged infidelity with numerous women months before his announced divorce from his wife. Years later, Diggs would be involved in yet another scandal surrounding his personal life.
Instagram user chankeong3 called out the actor for his behavior and threatened to release footage of an alleged tape with her and her friend. Although no further footage came to light, the allegations themselves put a negative light on the actor’s off-screen behavior.
9. Eric Dane: Leaked video, substances, depression
When viewers first caught a glimpse of the new character Dr. Mark Sloan (aka McSteamy), he appeared surrounded by steam. Although this entrance made for an unforgettable moment on Grey’s Anatomy, a similar situation became a real-life nightmare for actor Eric Dane.
In 2009, a revealing video leaked of Dane, his wife actress Rebecca Gayheart and reality show personality Kari Ann Peniche. Although the video did not contain any acts, the three stars appeared undressed in the same room.
Dane’s personal troubles continued in June 2011 when he admitted to a growing dependency on prescription drugs he developed after a sports injury. He entered a rehab facility to address his issues and took a temporary leave from the show. He continued with his personal struggles in 2017 when he took a leave of absence from his show The Last Ship to address his depression.
8. Katherine Heigl: Public Feud with Shonda Rhimes
Dr. Izzie Stevens dealt with devastating heartbreaks, tragic secrets, and moral dilemmas during her six years on Grey’s Anatomy. Although fans seemed content with the character, actress Katherine Heigl became very vocal about her disappointment in her role.
Heigl pulled her materials for consideration for the 2008 Emmys because she didn't like that season's writing.
Her stunt angered creator Shonda Rhimes and began a feud between the two women. Heigl’s role on the show reduced significantly with season 6 where she only appeared twice. Heigl then requested to be let go from the show with 18 months remaining on her contract. Rhimes still bore resentment toward the actress for her actions years later.
Regarding the 2014 cast, Rhimes told The Hollywood Reporter that “There are no Heigls in this situation.” Well then.
7. Jesse Williams: Backlash Over Politically Charged Acceptance Speech
Though many Grey’s Anatomy fans only knew Jesse Williams from his character on the show, his real-world ambitions expand far beyond just acting. The actor, known for playing Dr. Jackson Avery on the show, has a long history of activism and fighting for civil rights.
His two worlds clashed the night he delivered a political speech while accepting the Humanitarian Award in 2016 at the BET Awards.
The content of his remarks included “calling for an end to police [violence], racial inequality and cultural appropriation." However, some fans were outraged by his speech and called for his termination from the show. A Change.org petition amassed 19,000 signatures 24 hours after he delivered his speech.
However, show producers ignored the complaints, with Williams continuing as an integral member of the cast.
6. Melissa George: Domestic Abuse Accusations
Although actress Melissa George’s role on Grey’s Anatomy only lasted for 8 episodes, she still managed to make a lasting impression. Playing the role of Dr. Sadie Harris, her unorthodox method of volunteering herself as a means for the interns to “practice” made her unforgettable.
However, the Australian-American actress returned to the spotlight thanks to her off-screen drama. In 2007, George claimed that her boyfriend French entrepreneur Jean David Blanc began abusing her during their five-year relationship. Not only were these charges brought to light but also their messy custody battle over their two children.
Just days after the alleged assault, George tried to leave their home in Paris for the United States with their two children. However, Border Police stopped them from departing. Her former long-time partner decided to charge her with attempted kidnapping for her actions.
5. Isaiah Washington: Slur Against Co-star
One of the most widely known scandals for a Grey’s Anatomy star involved actor Isaiah Washington. An on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey quickly got out of hand. In October 2006, the two stars got into an argument with Washington allegedly grabbing Dempsey by the throat and using a gay slur against fellow cast member T.R. Knight.
Washington issued an apology stating, “I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words…I have nothing but respect for my co-workers…and have apologized.” However, Washington contradicted himself the following January at the Golden Globes. He then repeated the gay slur while denying to reports that he ever said the derogatory term about Knight.
After this second incident, ABC decided to fire Washington from the show. He returned only once in season 10, for "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together".
4. Okieriete Onaodowan: Racist Recasting Controversy
Hamilton actor Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan just became a member of the Shondaland family, and he has already been caught up in scandals. Set to debut on the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Station 19, Onaodowan dealt with recent controversy surrounding his role on the Broadway show Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.
After the exit of singer Josh Grobin from the production in July 2017, sales for the show plummeted nearly half a million dollars. Although Onaodowan was a great replacement for the original singer, producers decided to remove him in favor of Broadway alum Mandy Patinkin. The cast replacement generated public outcry that the move was race related (a black actor being replaced by a white actor).
In response, Patinkin declined the role. Though producers apologized for the casting decision, the production closed just a few weeks after the controversy. The show officially closed on Sept 3, 2017.
3. Karla Souza: Assaulted By A Director
As one of the main characters in the wildly popular series How to Get Away with Murder, actress Karla Souza rose to fame fairly quickly. Her role as Laurel Castillo marked her first major role on American television and made her a great role model as a Mexican actress. Unfortunately, Souza recently shared some horrifying news about her road to stardom.
In an interview with CNN en Espanol, she shared that she had been assaulted on a shoot by a director early in her career. Although the assailant remained nameless, after the story was released, The Televisa network severed all ties with producer-director Gustavo Loza.
Loza later denied the charged via his Twitter account after the termination. The timing of Souza’s interview and Loza’s termination have led many to believe that the two incidences are connected.
2. Brooke Smith: Why she was fired
The writers of Grey’s Anatomy continue to push shocking and, sometimes, groundbreaking storylines to new limits. With the introduction of Dr. Erica Hahn in season 2, viewers watched as she developed the show’s first lesbian relationship with Dr. Callie Torres. Although the show was praised for its depictions of their developing relationship, the network may not have been as comfortable with it.
By season 5, actress Brooke Smith was unexpectedly axed from the show.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actress implied that the decision to cut her character may have come from ABC. Smith explained, “You know, I have to tell you, I got that feeling. I don’t know for sure, but it definitely seemed like [Shonda’s] hands were tied. That was just my gut. It seemed like some decision came down from above. It didn’t feel like it was her.”
1. Columbus Short: In Jail For Repeated Domestic Abuse
Starting as a main character on the show, Harrison Wright soon became a fan favorite on Scandal. Actor Columbus Short remained on the series for three years until his own personal scandals brought an end to his career. In 2014, CNN reported that “the actor's wife, Tanee Short, filed an affidavit asking for a restraining order to keep her husband away from her and their 2-year-old daughter. She also filed for divorce from her husband of almost nine years, citing irreconcilable differences."
Just days after this news broke, the actor was fired from the show. Sadly, the behaviors of his past followed him into his next relationship. Short made headlines again with another count of domestic violence against wife Aida Abramyan after getting arrested November 2017. He is currently serving a one-year sentence in jail.
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What other scandals have followed Shondaland stars? Let us know in the comments!