‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Meredith Grey and Andrew DeLuca’s Goodbye Hits Harder After Giacomo Gianniotti’s Remarks About Ellen Pompeo
Many Grey’s Anatomy fans were distraught when Giacomo Gianniotti (Andrew DeLuca) left the Shondaland series in season 17, but the actor’s comments about working with Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey) will probably destroy you. Here’s what Gianniotti said about his mentor and friend.
Andrew DeLuca and Meredith Grey’s last scene together in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17
DeLuca was killed off in Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 Episode 7, titled “Helplessly Hoping.” The beloved character was stabbed and lost too much blood to survive.
Before DeLuca died, he got to say goodbye to Meredith on her dream beach. DeLuca also told Meredith what their time together meant to him. He said:
I don’t know what happens from here, Meredith. But no matter what happens, I want you to know what I never felt seen the way you saw me. I never felt inspired the way you inspired me. You made me want to be, not just my best self, but better. And yeah, I felt small sometimes. I felt insecure. I wanted something from you that I needed to give to myself. But here, now, on this beach with you, I get it. I get who I am, my own soul, my strength.
In the end, the former Grey’s Anatomy couple watched the sunset on the beach as DeLuca died in the operating room.
Giacomo Gianniotti opens up about working with Ellen Pompeo on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
A few weeks after DeLuca’s death on Grey’s Anatomy, Gianniotti opened up about his exit in an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada. Gianniotti also revealed what Pompeo’s friendship meant to him, and ultimately it seems the actor is grateful for his mentor.
“After this much time on a show, I can understand how it would be difficult for someone to sort of come in every day with the same amount of care and gusto and energy after all these years, and she does,” Gianniotti said. “She cares so much about the show, she fights for all the greatest choices.”
The actor continued, “She’s taught me a lot about the industry and how it works, and to me, has been an invaluable friend and resource and mentor over the years.”
Ellen Pompeo shares how she stays motivated on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Now, Gianniotti’s comments about Pompeo may not come as a surprise to some Grey’s Anatomy fans. Following DeLuca’s death in season 17, the two actors posted about their friendship and professional relationship on social media. Meanwhile, Pompeo previously shared what keeps her motivated to stay on Grey’s Anatomy in the Aug. 24 episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.
“At this particular moment, being engaged in the story, having some control over my storyline, and talking about things that are interesting, is kind of what helps,” Pompeo said. “That’s the great thing about Grey’s and — at this juncture — keeps me going.”
She continued, “The show is such a monster, we have this enormous platform. We have some sort of leeway to talk about human trafficking, to talk about sexual assault, to talk about big pharma … I think it’s an important platform. So I try to stay in a place of gratitude.”
