Ellen Pompeo Says Comments About Emmys Lacking "Diversity" Were Made "Off the Record"

Grey's Anatomy star says her team is investigating what happened

Ellen Pompeo didn't intend for her controversial comments about the Emmys to be made public.

Even so, the 43-year-old Grey's Anatomy star stands by her belief that this year's show was "disappointing" and "lacked diversity." During a Sept. 23 appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, Pompeo said her quotes were made "off the record" and said her team was investigating the matter.

Speaking to the Associated Press earlier that day, Pompeo said, "I didn't see any diversity in the Emmys at all. The Emmys felt so dated to me. That dance number was embarrassing. Did you see one person of color in that dance number?"

The TV star added that she is "extremely proud of our very, very diverse cast, which represents the world that I walk around in every day."

Pompeo, who has never been nominated for an Emmy, has not attended the annual event in six years. Coincidentally, this year's telecast was the most-watched Emmys since 2007.