Note to Janet Jackson:Thisis how you do a wardrobe malfunction.
What was I going to do?
I decided to just go for it.
It turned out to be one of her smartest PR moves.
But she never showed up.
It was the latest bump in a rocky tenure thats been marred by numerous skirmishes.
But on this day, we encountered a very different Heigl.
Where do things stand withGreys Anatomy?
KATHERINE HEIGL:I am done.
We just finalized our agreement.
Everyone had been working really hard to find an amicable and gracious way of letting go and moving on.
Its sad, but its what I wanted.
How did it come to this?
HEIGL:My life changed so dramatically in the last six years.
I started a family, and it changed everything for me.
It changed my desire to work full-time.
So you made this decision last fall after you adopted Naleigh?
That certainly accelerated it.
And she was really respectful and supportive.
It wasnt feeling fair to them or the show to ask them to bend around my needs.
But you didnt show up on March 1.
So before I was due back, I spoke again to Shonda about wanting to leave.
Then I waited at home until I was given the formal okay that I was off the show.
The rumors that I refused to return were totally untrue.
The studio wishes her well.
Would you describe it as an amicable parting?
HEIGL:Yeah, I think so.
Naleigh and I will always be a little bit complicated.
[Laughs] It was really hard because she loved Josh so much but she just kind oftoleratedme.
I hope I made the right one…. You wish you could have it all exactly the way you want it.
But thats not life….
I had to give a shot to find the courage to move on.
And I am sad.
We did it twice this season.
It starts to feel a little manipulative.
What would you say to fans who feel cheated?
HEIGL:[Long pause] Youre right.
I didnt really think that through.
[Laughs] Theyre right.
Im sorry about that.
I kind of feel that way too.
But I dont think we knew how else to do this.
Lets talk about some of the statements youve made publicly.
Any regrets about making that statement?
[Laughs]
Why?
HEIGL:You know… [Exhales] At the time I thought I was doing the right thing.
And I wanted to be clear that I wasnt snubbing the Emmys.
The night I won [in 2007] was the highlight of my career.
But really, I could have more gracefully saidthatwithout going into a private work matter.
It was between me and the writers.
I ambushed them, and it wasnt very nice or fair.
Why didnt you talk to them privately?
HEIGL:Everybody has bad days.
And a lot of that had to do with me and my performances.
Did you apologize to Shonda?
[Laughs] I went into her office and I was just like, Look, that was obnoxious.
And she was actually really supportive.
She was like, I get it.
I totally get it.
I know you didnt mean it like that.
What stands out to you about that season?
HEIGL:The only thing I can really remember is when I saved the deer.
What do you mean shes saving a deer?
Wait, shesshocking it back to life?!
That was also the season of George and Izzies romance.
Viewers didnt like it.
HEIGL:No, they did not like it.
When I found out our little nickname was Gizzie, I knew it was over.
[Laughs] I was like, Were going to have to move on because thatsnothot.
Thats not, like, Brangelina.
That was not the time or place to gripe about work.
And when I watched it back I was really embarrassed about how whiny I sounded.
And I said it not once but, like,threemore times.
I was really annoyed with myself after that one.
Its okay to have an opinion.
But you were clearly frustrated about the 17-hour workday.
HEIGL:If that is true, I really wish [the producers] had warned me.
Had I known that, I would not have asked for those three days off.
I would have forgone the talk shows.
I asked the entire crew without really understanding that I was asking this to work a 17-hour day.
And for them its much worse than just 17 hours.
They get there an hour before us and they leave an hour after us.
And they all have families they want to get home to.
So you were more frustrated for the crew?
I can suck up a 17-hour day.
For them, that is not a fair thing to ask.
They work their asses off and they dont get any of the accolades.
They dont get any of the attention and they dont get the paycheck.
Was there any fallout when you returned to the set?
HEIGL:No one brought it up because I think they were all like, Ehh, Katie… Are you aware that this is how some people view you?
HEIGL:And then I just went on a bender.
Hey, that went over, so how aboutthis?!
Looking back, anything youd like to say about that whole incident?
HEIGL:[Pauses] I was recently talking to T.R.
So that is a proud moment for me [and] I dont regret it.
And Im just so grateful that my friend doesnt regret it….
I think Isaiah just made a mistake.
I think it was a [big] one.
But I dont think hes evil or horrible or a bad person.
I had some great times on set with Isaiah.
I dont wish him ill.
Whats your personal relationship with Shonda like?
HEIGL:Its really respectful and supportive.
Sometimes wed go weeks or months without talking.
Shes running two shows.
But anytime I needed her, she was there.
And anytime I wanted to voice an opinion, she was really receptive.
Have you been in touch with the cast?
Ellen and I text a lot.
Im still waiting to meet [her newborn daughter] Stella Luna.
Its pissing me off.
[Laughs] And Justin and I have been texting.
Chyler Leigh is one of the most amazing young women.
Just unbelievably lovely and supportive.
These are my friends.
Theyre kind of family at this point.
I spent more time with them over the past six years than I did with my own family.
So Im going to miss that.
What was your favorite story line?
HEIGL:[When we learned] that Izzie gave up a daughter when she was 16 years old.
I loved that story line.
It was really quiet and beautiful.
HEIGL:[Laughs] No.
That was like, Oh, man.
And I really thought it was going to feel different when it actually played on camera.
But, oh, man, that was weird.
Would you ever do TV again?
I never would rule out a great character or a great story.
I dont care what the forum is.
If I get to tell a story that Im excited about, Im in.
But is it safe to say youre going to focus primarily on films for the time being?
HEIGL:I think so.
Because at the end of the day, its more part-time.
I can do a film for three months and then have the whole rest of the year off.
Is it going to be hard to let Izzie go?
HEIGL:I dont think Ill ever be able to shake her.
Im going to miss her.
I wonder if she sends divorce papers to Alex?
I wonder if she calls him?
I wonder if she ever really thanked Cristina for all she did for her?
Are you going to watch the show?
HEIGL:I stopped watching.
It was too hard.
I just felt like I was missing the party.
Im missing the good times.
Are you curious about what theyre going to do with Izzie?
I dont know what they have in store.
But Id love to come back in and out at some point.
Do you think thats possible?
HEIGL:I dont know.
Ill give Shonda a call.
Hey, do you need any ideas?
