Ellen Pompeo opens up about foot injury, Grey’s Anatomy, and staying grounded through fame

Ellen Pompeo made headlines at the 2024 Tribeca Festival — not just for her candid on-stage conversation with journalist Katie Couric, but for arriving with her foot in a medical boot. While the Grey’s Anatomy star didn’t have a dramatic tale to match the accessory, her light-hearted honesty and reflections on her long-running career reminded fans why she remains a beloved figure in television.

A not-so-glamorous injury

Ellen Pompeo’s appearance at the Tribeca Festival Storytellers event on June 14 took a humorous turn before the conversation even began. The actress, now 55, stepped onto the stage at New York City’s Spring Studios sporting a black medical boot, prompting host Katie Couric, 68, to immediately ask, “What the hell happened to your foot?”

Pompeo laughed and responded with refreshing honesty: “I wish it was, like, a cool, sexy or exciting story, like I was doing some cool stunts or something.” Instead, the cause was far more mundane — and, as she admitted, somewhat embarrassing. “I just, you know, was half asleep and jumped out of bed too quickly and landed on my foot the wrong way. Somewhat clumsy of me.”

Though Couric jokingly suspected pickleball, Pompeo cleared up the confusion. “Nope, just sleepwalking into injury,” she said, adding with a grin, “This is almost like my party trick. I’ve literally done this three times — not all the same way, but this is the second time it’s happened from jumping out of bed too fast.”

Déjà vu from Grey’s early days

This isn’t Pompeo’s first accidental injury. In fact, she recalled a nearly identical incident dating back to the early days of Grey’s Anatomy. “It was season 2, and I was working crazy hours,” she said. “My alarm went off on a Saturday — I forgot to turn it off — and I thought I had overslept for work. So I jumped out of bed in a panic and stepped the wrong way.”

Back then, she had the excuse of exhaustion from marathon days on set. “At least I had an excuse that time,” she laughed. “This time, I have no excuse!” Despite the foot injury, Pompeo showed no signs of slowing down. She appeared composed and relaxed throughout the event, drawing laughter and applause as she shared anecdotes from her life on and off screen. Her resilience and humor were on full display — a reminder that even Hollywood veterans have clumsy mornings and less-than-glamorous stories behind those red carpet appearances.

Navigating fame and friendship with Shonda Rhimes

Beyond her foot injury, the conversation with Couric also delved into Pompeo’s professional journey — particularly her long standing partnership with Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes. The actress spent nearly two decades portraying Dr. Meredith Grey, becoming the face of one of the most successful medical dramas in television history.

Pompeo was candid about how fame, ego, and power dynamics could have complicated her relationship with Rhimes. “I think the most important thing to note about Shonda and I’s relationship is we very easily could have been pitted against one another,” she said.

“There were plenty of instances where people on my team would suggest that — you know, it’s me against her. But I just believe that you get more with honey than you do with vinegar,” Pompeo explained. “And if someone proves and shows you who they are, then believe them.”

Her remarks spoke to the challenges many women face in male-dominated industries — where competition is often encouraged and collaboration discouraged. Pompeo’s success and her lasting partnership with Rhimes suggest a different path: one built on mutual respect, understanding, and the willingness to rise above unnecessary conflict.

From on-screen icon to off-screen advocate

Since stepping back from her starring role in Grey’s Anatomy, Pompeo has been exploring new avenues. While she still serves as an executive producer on the series and occasionally appears on screen, her focus has shifted to family, advocacy, and other creative projects — including producing Good American Family and working on limited series outside the hospital corridors.

Her recent appearances — from speaking engagements to interviews — have revealed a thoughtful, outspoken woman unafraid to address everything from pay inequality in Hollywood to the importance of representation behind the camera. She’s also embraced her role as a mentor, encouraging other actors to take control of their careers and advocate for themselves.

Though the boot on her foot at Tribeca was a literal sign of a stumble, Pompeo remains poised and powerful — a woman who has weathered the ups and downs of the entertainment industry without losing her footing, metaphorically speaking.

Real, relatable, and refreshingly honest

Ellen Pompeo’s Tribeca appearance reminded audiences that beneath the fame and the fanfare, she’s still remarkably down-to-earth. Whether discussing her less-than-heroic foot injury or the quiet strength behind her decades-long career, Pompeo showed up — quite literally — with both vulnerability and humor.

And that may be her greatest strength. In an industry often built on image, Ellen Pompeo’s authenticity is what truly stands out. Her ability to laugh at herself, to share hard-earned wisdom without pretense, and to celebrate collaboration over competition has endeared her to fans for nearly 20 years. Boot or no boot, Ellen Pompeo knows how to make an entrance — and leave a lasting impression.