‘I was Naive!’ Grey’s Anatomy Star Katherine Heigl Remembers Turning Down an Emmy Nomination
Katherine Heigl had a moment of self-doubt when she decided not to submit herself for an Emmy Award, questioning whether she was a “bad person” for her choice.
The 44-year-old actress earned the prestigious television accolade for her portrayal of Dr. Izzie Stevens on the ABC medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in 2007. However, she opted out of consideration the following year, feeling that she hadn’t been given material deserving of such recognition. Reflecting on her decision, she revealed that it took her several years to come to terms with it.
During an episode of Variey’s ‘Actors on Actors’ with her former co-star Ellen Pompeo, Katherine shared her experience, saying, “I didn’t anticipate a negative reaction. I genuinely believed in my feelings and my standpoint. Like many women, I spent a significant portion of my life in people-pleasing mode. It’s unsettling when you feel like you’ve disappointed everyone. It wasn’t my intention, but I had things to say, and the strong reaction took me by surprise.”
“It took me until my mid- to late-30s to tune out the noise and ask myself, ‘Who are you really?’ I questioned if I was a bad person, ungrateful, unprofessional, or difficult. I was genuinely confused. I believed that version of myself and carried immense shame for a long time. Eventually, I had to realize that I wasn’t even listening to my own voice. I had to reconnect with who I truly am,” Katherine explained.
She went on to reveal that she was struggling with anxiety during that time, and the whole experience is somewhat of a blur for her. Over the years, she has learned to prioritize her mental health and work on managing her anxiety.
“At that time, I was overwhelmed by anxiety. It’s all a bit hazy for me, and it took years for me to understand how to cope with it, to begin addressing it. I can’t claim to have mastered it completely, but I’ve learned the importance of working on it. Anxiety, fear, and stress—they all take a toll. If you let stress go unmanaged and unaddressed for too long, it can be debilitating,” Katherine added.
She has since embarked on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, finding her voice and learning to prioritize her well-being.
