Ellen Pompeo Detained for Hour by TSA and Bomb Squad Over Erewhon Sunflower Seeds

Ellen Pompeo may need to get her blood pressure checked after this recent airport experience.

The Grey’s Anatomy star revealed that she was recently detained by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) while trying to catch a flight—all because of a salty snack she was bringing on board.

“I had a bag of sunflower seeds, like organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon, so they were probably the most expensive sunflower seeds money can buy,” she told Travel + Leisure in an interview published May 29. “They literally held me for an hour, and they brought the bomb squad in.”

And Pompeo couldn’t believe that her seeds—purchased from the upscale Los Angeles grocer known for the Hailey Bieber smoothie—prompted such a serious response.

“And I was like, what is happening? Is this a joke?” she recalled. “They said it was most likely a chemical on the packaging of these super expensive, fancy, organic, clean sunflower seeds. My protein on the plane!”

Even when the actress offered to throw away the seeds, she said officials needed her to remain put while they investigated the unopened bag.

“I almost missed the flight,” the 55-year-old shared. “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.’” 

Ellen Pompeo, Big Pic

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

And while Pompeo’s protein-packed snack certainly set off alarms, it’s not the only time her dedication to her health has sparked controversy.

In fact, she recently recalled that she was once “so skinny” that “everyone thought I had an eating disorder.”

“The tabloids would say horrible things,” she told People in February. “I just remember being so anxious on red carpets, and the comments about my weight and my body.”

“It was a whole situation with how skinny I was, and there was so much negative attention,” she explained. “Girls today can be gorgeous and thin and thank God we’re not allowed to comment on women’s bodies, even though people do. But I just had so much anxiety and lacked self-esteem because people were so critical of my physicality.”

To look back on some of Pompeo’s most memorable moments from Grey’s Anatomy over the years, read on.

Grey's Anatomy shocking moments
From Booty Call to BossIncoming surgical intern Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) was thrown for quite a loop in Grey’s Anatomy‘s series premiere when she learned that the hunky one-night-stand she picked up at the bar played by Patrick Dempsey was actually her new boss, renowned surgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd. Oops.
Grey's Anatomy shocking moments
Addison’s ArrivalFans were just as stunned as poor Meredith in the season one finale when Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) waltzed into Seattle Grace and right up to Mer and Derek, introducing herself with the now iconic “You must be the woman who’s been screwing my husband.”
Greys Anatomy shocking moments, Season 2, Kyle Chandler
Bombs AwayWhen Grey’s Anatomy was given the plum post-Super Bowl slot in its second season, fans watched tensely as Meredith decided to shove her hand into a body cavity containing a live explosive to keep it from detonating. And just as we began to breathe a sigh of relief when bomb squad chief Dylan (guest star Kyle Chandler) began to walk away with the removed explosive, it blew, taking the poor guy out in the process. 
  • Related Posts

    🇺🇸 Stars and Stripes Sisters 🇺🇸

    Two sisters stood side by side at the pool, each wearing a bikini patterned with stars and stripes. The sun glinted off the water, casting playful reflections on their smiling…

    Poolside Glow

    In a bright red bikini, she lounged by the sparkling pool, the sunlight glinting off the water. Every so often, she dipped her toes in, feeling the cool ripple against…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    🇺🇸 Stars and Stripes Sisters 🇺🇸

    Poolside Glow

    Crimson Waves

    Focused Steps

    Sisters in White

    Dust Trail Sunrise