Ellen Pompeo Attacks 'Bachelor' Producer
by EG
When the producer of The Bachelor claimed on Twitter that his show paid Kelly Ripa's salary, Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo couldn't keep quiet. She had to correct the misinformation (Ripa doesn't even work for the company that airs The Bachelor) while also taking a jab at the series' history of racial problems. Read on for details.
Via People.
Ellen Pompeo just waded into the Bachelor drama brewing among ABC’s heavy hitters.
Earlier this week, Live! star Kelly Ripa said during an on-air discussion with co-host Ryan Seacrest that the reality dating show “disgusts” her and pits women against one another. Series creator Mike Fleiss then took aim at Ripa on Twitter, writing, “Easy, @KellyRipa … #TheBachelor franchise pays your salary!”
On Thursday, Grey’s Anatomy star Pompeo jumped to Ripa’s defense.
“Okay @fleissmeister… that’s some handle bro!” she tweeted. “Your show does NOT pay @KellyRipa salary. Also we don’t attack successful women on our network and men certainly cannot take credit for their success. Don’t get me started on your show cuz I’m a savage…. #bachelorsoooowhite.”
“Took a break [from Twitter] but had to jump back in the ring for my girl @KellyRipa,” she added.
The ABC franchise has long weathered criticism over its lack of diversity. There has never been a Bachelor of color in 23 seasons, and in 15 seasons, there has only been one black Bachelorette: Rachel Lindsay in 2017. The majority of the contestants have also historically been white.
Pompeo, 49, has starred as Dr. Meredith Grey on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy since 2005. Last year, Pompeo revealed that she had negotiated for an annual paycheck of $20 million — making her one of the highest-paid actresses on TV. Speaking to PEOPLE in October, Pompeo said the backlash she faced from publicly discussing how much she makes — some of it from other women themselves — has only empowered her to discuss it more.
“Women are so institutionalized by the patriarchy, they don’t even realize it,” she said. “If we can’t stick together and support each other, then you’re 20 steps behind where you need to be.”
Get the rest of the story at People.
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