16 Years Later, Grey’s Anatomy Star Finally Addresses Her Biggest Scandal on the ShowImage credit: ABC

Turns out, it was just a huge misunderstanding.

Though Izzie Stevens was one of Grey’s Anatomy’s most popular characters throughout the show’s run, viewers weren’t as kind to the actress who portrayed her. For the longest time, Katherine Heigl’s name was bashed by both fans and the media, as she was perceived as entitled and ungrateful for the opportunity the show gave her.

However, now that those days are long gone, her co-stars have made amends with Heigl, and her public image is no longer tainted by all the Grey’s Anatomy scandals, the real truth behind what happened is starting to come out.

Katherine Heigl Grey’s Anatomy Controversy

Back in 2008, when the show was at its peak and Heigl’s character was in the midst of some serious drama, viewers of the show expected the actress to come forward and submit for Emmy’s. However, she decided not to, and instead of passing up the opportunity in silence, she came out with a statement.

Though the actress assures fans today that she had only the best intentions in mind, explaining that she won’t be putting herself up for consideration because she didn’t feel that she was “given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination,” that phrase did terrible things for her public image.

16 Years Later, Grey’s Anatomy Star Finally Addresses Her Biggest Scandal on the Show - image 1

Speaking with Shannen Doherty for the Let’s Be Clear podcast, Heigl admitted that her words were misconstrued and that she never meant to come across as entitled or ungrateful to Shonda Rhimes’ team and her Grey’s Anatomy experience.

“I just wasn’t proud of my work. I would never be so bold or so arrogant to turn down a nomination. I would take that nomination. If it came my way, I’d be down. I was trying to be honorable, I guess. I was trying to have some integrity. I wasn’t trying to be a d#ck,” the actress explained.

Unfortunately, those words, as well as her subsequent departure from the show in 2010, only served to cement Katherine Heigl’s problematic reputation in the industry. Fortunately, now that the actress has all the tools to change the narrative, she can simply explain her side of the story and give the most loyal Grey’s fans some closure on the past controversy.

If you loved Izzie and are already feeling the wave of nostalgia, you can re-watch the first seasons of Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix or Hulu.