### Grey’s Anatomy Star Ellen Pompeo Held by TSA Over Expensive Sunflower Seeds

Actress Ellen Pompeo recently experienced a real-life drama that rivaled any plotline from Grey’s Anatomy when her airport ordeal led to a bomb squad being called in. Pompeo shared the unusual incident in an interview with Travel + Leisure, revealing how her pricey snack caused quite the commotion.

While traveling, Pompeo was stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who were suspicious of a bag of organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon. "They literally held me for an hour, and they brought the bomb squad in," recounted Pompeo, 55. Flabbergasted by the response, she initially thought it was all a joke. The TSA informed her that chemicals on the packaging of the seeds had triggered concerns. Despite offering to dispose of them, Pompeo was required to wait for the bomb squad's analysis.

The protracted delay almost caused Pompeo to miss her flight, making the experience both stressful and surreal. As a self-professed anxious flier, she shared, "I like to hold my kids' hands when I take off." Pompeo and her husband, music producer Chris Ivery, have three children together—Stella Luna, 15, Sienna May, 10, and Eli Christopher, 8.

While air travel can be unnerving for Pompeo, her family offers some respite. However, when it comes to her television career, Pompeo’s work on Grey's Anatomy isn't as popular at home. On the Jennifer Hudson Show in April, she revealed that neither her husband nor her children are ardent fans of the series. The actress humorously noted that her husband's lack of interest might be the secret to their long marriage.

Her oldest daughter Stella did attempt to watch the show but tapped out after a major character’s death, emotionally affected by the loss of George O'Malley. Pompeo noted, "I think she had it... when they see that George O'Malley died, they say, 'I'm done.'" Her younger daughter, Sienna May, is showing an interest but hasn’t started watching yet. Pompeo shared her reluctance, saying, "I don't want my daughter to see me in my underwear on television just yet."

Ellen Pompeo’s experience demonstrates that sometimes real life can be stranger—and more dramatic—than fiction.