Shonda Rhimes and Katherine Heigl Theo Wargo/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images/George Pimentel/Getty Images
Katherine Heigl said that it was "so difficult" for her to work with Shonda Rhimes in "Grey's Anatomy."
Lynette Rice was interviewed by an anonymous source to get a book on the set of the drama.
Heigl claimed she "ambushed writers" when she withdrew her name form Emmys consideration.
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Katherine Heigl, a former "Grey's Anatomy” star, earned a reputation in Hollywood for being "difficult," following her 2010 exit from ABC's hit drama. Entertainment Weekly's editor at Large Lynette Rice tells the tale in "How to Save a Life" but the tell-all book says there was more to her story.
Rice spoke to many sources, who chose to remain anonymous in order to save a life. According to one source, Rhimes was part of the problem that led to Heigl's departure. According to this source, Rhimes felt like the star of the show and was resentful that other actors were becoming stars.
Rice said that Heigl left the hit show to pursue a career as a movie star. Rice was told by a source that it had nothing to do "with her film career." "She wanted to leave because it was so difficult working with Shonda."
According to the source, Heigl was not always easy to work with on set but they felt like "Katie got a raw deal" when it came down to how the situation ended publicly.
Rice identifies a separate anonymous source as an ex-executive at ABC Studios who said that Heigl could've pursued film careers and continued to "go for six to eight episodes [a] year" on "Grey's Anatomy." According to the book, Heigl stated that the show could not find a way to compromise the work schedule in a way that did not negatively affect the cast or crew.
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Rice reported that Steve McPherson, Shonda and Shonda were so tired of it all they said, "Get her out!"
Insider reached out to Heigl and Rhimes representatives but they didn't respond immediately.
Rhimes and Heigl 2006 Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Heigl expressed regret over some of the public drama she and the 'Grey's Anatomy' writers had.
Heigl was criticized for making unflattering comments about the quality and storylines of the show before she left.
After she had won an Emmy in 2008 for her role in Dr. Izzie Stephens, Heigl stated to Entertainment Weekly that she withdrew from Emmy consideration in 2008 because she "didn't feel I was given enough material" during the year of eligibility. She stated that she was committed to maintaining the integrity of the academy.
Heigl's regret at that incident is recounted in "How to Save a Life", which was interpreted as a slight against Rhimes. Entertainment Weekly reported that Heigl told Entertainment Weekly in 2010 she could have handled the situation better and discussed the matter privately with the "Grey's writers without creating an "ambush."
Heigl also spoke out about working conditions at "Grey's Anatomy" in a 2009 appearance to "The Late Show With David Letterman", calling the length of her workday "cruel" and "mean" and specifically saying that she was doing it in order to "embarrass" the show's powers.
According to the book Heigl said that she told Entertainment Weekly in 2010 how she felt about the Letterman appearance.
Heigl, Rhimes and Patrick Dempsey pose in 2005. "Grey's Anatomy", (Photo by Carley Margolis/FilmMagic)
"How to Save a Life: Grey's Anatomy's Inside Story" is now available. It provides new information about life on set of the hit drama.
Insider has the original article.
