Ellen Pompeo reveals she was stopped by TSA with bomb squad due to one ‘expensive’ item

By JACQUELINE LINDENBERG FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 02:31 BST, 3 June 2025 | Updated: 02:59 BST, 3 June 2025

Ellen Pompeo recalled being stopped by TSA and the bomb squad over a pricey item she was carrying with her before boarding a flight.

The 55-year-old Grey’s Anatomy star — who garnered backlash over her salary on the hit medical drama series — opened up about the incident during a recent interview with Travel + Leisure. 

The actress had been going through airport security a few months earlier in March when she was suddenly flagged for an ‘expensive’ snack: a bag of sunflower seeds from Erewhon.

‘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,’ Pompeo told the outlet. 

‘They literally held me for an hour, and they brought the bomb squad in. And I was like, what is happening? Is this a joke?’ 

Ellen explained she had been informed it was ‘likely’ due to ‘a chemical on the packaging of these super expensive, fancy, organic, clean sunflower seeds. My protein on the plane!’ 

Ellen Pompeo, 55, recalled being stopped by TSA and the bomb squad over a pricy item she was carrying with her before boarding a flight; seen in May in West Hollywood 

Because she had been detained for one hour, the star added how she had ‘almost missed the flight.

‘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.”‘ 

While also talking with the publication, Pompeo got candid about her anxiety when it comes to flying. 

‘I like to hold my kids’ hands when I take off, which is probably a little selfish, and they’re probably feeling my anxiety, which probably isn’t the best thing to do,’ she stated. 

Ellen is mom to three children – Stella, 15, Sienna, 10, and Eli, eight – whom she shares with husband Chris Ivery. 

‘I love any kind of trip as long as my kids are with me,’ The Good American Family star continued. 

‘I get a little bit anxious when I travel for work without my kids, but when we’re all together, we try to do it all and give them a good mix [of types of trips].’

Pompeo added, ‘It’s a privilege to be able to travel with these kids and bring them places, so I try to just have a lot of gratitude for that and show them as much as I can.’ 

The actress had been going through airport security a few months earlier in March when she was suddenly flagged for an ‘expensive’ snack: a bag of sunflower seeds from Erewhon

‘I like to hold my kids’ hands when I take off, which is probably a little selfish, and they’re probably feeling my anxiety, which probably isn’t the best thing to do,’ she stated

Ellen is known for portraying the character of Dr. Meredith Grey on the beloved medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy. 

She has been appearing on the show since 2005 – and still joins other cast members in a recurring role.

Back in April, the actress discussed whether she would completely exit the series during an interview with El Pais. 

‘That would make no sense, emotionally or financially,’ Pompeo stated. ‘The show was streamed more than a billion times in 2024. More than a billion times.’

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Ellen Pompeo reveals she was stopped by TSA with bomb squad due to one ‘expensive’ item

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