Ellen Pompeo, the star of the hit TV show “Grey’s Anatomy,” recently had a surprising encounter with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at an airport. The actress was detained for an hour and had the bomb squad called on her due to a bag of sunflower seeds she was carrying. In an interview, Pompeo shared the details of the incident.
She had brought a bag of organic sunflower seeds from the upscale Los Angeles grocer Erewhon. “They literally held me for an hour, and they brought the bomb squad in,” she said. “I was like, what is happening?
Is this a joke?”
The TSA officials informed Pompeo that the chemical on the packaging of the sunflower seeds had likely triggered the alarm. Even when the actress offered to throw away the seeds, she was asked to remain put while the bomb squad investigated the unopened bag. “I almost missed the flight,” Pompeo recalled.
“It was really like no one would ever believe this! I was texting my publicist saying, ‘I might not get on this plane, and you’re never gonna guess why.'”
This is not the first time Pompeo’s dedication to her health has caused controversy. She recently shared that she was once so skinny that people thought she had an eating disorder.
Ellen’s sunflower seed TSA ordeal
“The tabloids would say horrible things,” she said. “I just remember being so anxious on red carpets, and the comments about my weight and my body.”
Pompeo, who has been playing the role of Dr. Meredith Grey on “Grey’s Anatomy” since 2005, has been a part of numerous memorable moments on the show.
From the shocking arrival of Dr. Derek Shepherd’s wife, Addison, to the devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of two beloved characters, the series has kept viewers on the edge of their seats for over a decade. Despite the drama on-screen, Pompeo enjoys traveling with her family off-screen.
She shares three children with her husband, Chris Ivery, and considers travel to be the best education for them. “If you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel, it’s the best education there is,” she said. “I don’t know who’s using algebra in their daily lives.”
However, as a nervous flier, Pompeo appreciates having her family by her side during flights.
“I like to hold my kids’ hands when I take off, which is probably a little selfish, and they’re probably feeling my anxiety, which probably isn’t the best thing to do,” she admitted. The actress’s recent airport experience may have been stressful, but it serves as a reminder that even celebrities can face unexpected challenges while traveling. As for the sunflower seeds that caused the commotion, Pompeo might want to consider a different snack option for her next flight.
