Ellen Pompeo was immersed in a heartwarming outpouring of affection from her beloved family. On Tuesday, April 29th, the 55-year-old star of "Grey's Anatomy" was honored with her very own star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Accompanying her on this prestigious occasion were her doting husband, Chris Ivery, and two out of their three cherished children—their stylish 15-year-old daughter Stella and their charming 8-year-old son Eli.
Beaming with joy, Pompeo struck a pose nestled between her two adorable offspring, wrapping an arm affectionately around each. Stella, looking like a mini fashionista, wore a chic black-and-white polka dot dress paired with white heels and complemented her look with a pristine white clutch. Eli, on the other hand, donned a navy suit that he paired with a crisp white T-shirt. Standing tall on Pompeo's other side, Ivery sported grey dress pants, a coordinating grey vest, and a crisp white collared T-shirt.
As photographers clicked away, Pompeo's voice rang out with warmth, "Everybody say Sienna because she’s not here!" she exclaimed, referring to their 10-year-old daughter who couldn't be present.
In her heartfelt speech, Pompeo lovingly acknowledged her two children, saying, "This achievement didn't happen overnight, nor did it come easily. It takes a supportive community. I love you, Stella. I love you, Eli." She also expressed her gratitude to Shonda Rhimes, who addressed the ceremony, for empowering her to juggle both her thriving career and motherhood. "Shonda allowed me to have a fulfilling career, get paid well, and be a devoted mother," she emphasized, noting that such opportunities were not common in her industry.
Earlier this month, during an appearance on "The Jennifer Hudson Show," Pompeo opened up about her family's perspective on "Grey's Anatomy," the show that has featured her as Meredith Grey since 2005. Revealing that her husband of 18 years, Ivery, had never watched the series, Pompeo admitted that her eldest daughter Stella was once a fan.
"At a certain age, when all her classmates started watching it, she asked, 'Mommy, can I watch it too?'" Pompeo recounted, adding, "Sometimes, I can hardly believe it." They binged-watched "a few seasons" together until a particularly emotional scene left Stella too heartbroken to continue.
"I think she, like many others, couldn't handle it when George O'Malley died," Pompeo recalled, referring to the tragic demise of T.R. Knight's character, who entered the hospital as an anonymous patient and revealed his identity by tracing "007" on Meredith's palm. "After seeing that scene, she said, 'I can't do this anymore,'" Pompeo continued. "So, I believe she stopped watching around that time."
While Pompeo is fine with Stella watching the show, she draws the line at her youngest daughter Sienna tuning in. During her March appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the actress discussed how Shonda Rhimes' hit medical drama is gaining popularity among the younger generation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
"My 15-year-old [Stella] has watched it, and now my 10-year-old wants to see it too," she shared with the late-night host. "She's not ready, but many kids in her class have already seen it," Pompeo said, adding, "I have no judgment for other parents, but I'm just not ready for my daughter to see me in my underwear on television just yet." She lightheartedly concluded, "But all her classmates have seen it, so that makes for some interesting conversations at school pick-up!"
