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Katherine Heigl Speaks Out on ‘Unnecessary’ Grey’s Anatomy Drama
Katherine Heigl has finally addressed the Emmys controversy that sparked back in 2008. During her appearance on Shannen Doherty’s podcast, Let’s Be Clear, Heigl, known for her role as Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy, was asked about the allegations surrounding her supposed refusal of an Emmy nomination.
“Well, I didn’t, and everybody keeps saying that. I didn’t turn it down,” the actress clarified.
Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens in Grey’s Anatomy
Heigl went on to explain the Emmy nomination process. “You know, you have to submit yourself. You have to submit your work, and then they deliberate and then they decide if they want to give you a nomination. I just didn’t submit my work that year,” she said.
Back in 2008, Katherine released a statement addressing the issue. “I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention,” she explained at the time.
In 2008, Katherine allegedly turned down an Emmy nomination for her work on the show
With hindsight, Katherine admitted she could have handled the situation differently. “I should have said, ‘Oh, I forgot [to submit my work],’ because it created such a maelstrom that was so unnecessary, and it really was,” she reflected.
“I was kind of trying to make a bit of a snarky point about my material that year, but I was also just not feeling my material. I didn’t think I had anything that warranted even the consideration for a nomination. I just wasn’t proud of my work,” she added.
“I would never be so bold or so arrogant to turn down a nomination,” Heigl emphasized. “I would take that nomination if it came my way. I’d be down. But I just knew there wasn’t anything that would really warrant one that year, and I was trying to be honorable, I guess. I was trying to have some integrity. I wasn’t trying to be a [expletive].”
The actress said she could have handled the situation differently
Following the Emmys controversy, Heigl left Grey’s Anatomy in 2010. Her character, Izzie Stevens, was suddenly written out in the sixth season, which left fans heartbroken.
There were also reports of a falling out between Katherine and the showrunner Shonda Rhimes. The alleged rift became more apparent when Shonda made a pointed remark about having “no Heigls” on the set of her political drama, Scandal.
Katherine reportedly fell out with Shonda Rhimes
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2014, Shonda stated, “There are no Heigls in this situation,” adding, “I don’t put up with [expletive] or nasty people. I don’t have time for it.”
Responding to Shonda’s comments, Katherine told Mario Lopez she was saddened. “It sucks,” she admitted. “I am sorry that she feels that way, and I wish her nothing but greatness, and I have nothing negative to say about Shonda.”
Katherine enjoyed a reunion with her Grey’s Anatomy co-stars at the 2024 Emmys
Despite the contentious relationship with Shonda Rhimes, Katherine Heigl has maintained strong bonds with her co-stars. In January, she reunited with Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. at the 2024 Emmys, and they all shared a joyful reunion.
Source: HELLO! Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter
