Why ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Ellen Pompeo Slammed ‘Bachelorette’ Creator Mike Fleiss

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo is defending Kelly Ripa. “Bachelorette” creator Mike Fleiss claimed his reality shows funded Ripa’s talk show, and Pompeo wasn’t having it. “We don’t attack successful women on our network,” Pompeo wrote, in part.

The drama between ABC stars started when Ripa voiced her distaste for the reality franchise on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” She made it clear that she wasn’t a fan. “You know how I feel about this show. It disgusts me. And I thought that I was disgusted because I couldn't stand the idea of 25 exceptional women fighting over one ordinary fella, in my opinion. You know how I feel ladies. We are too special to be arguing over a guy,” she said on the air Tuesday.

Of course, “The Bachelorette” reverses the genders, featuring a couple of dozen guys fighting for the affections of one woman. Ripa still isn’t impressed. “I found that show just as creepy but in a completely different way,” she added. “I was like, ‘Ew, ew, ew.’”

“Bachelor” producer Mike Fleiss responded to Ripa’s comments by claiming that his shows pay for her salary.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star took to Twitter to defend Ripa. Pompeo has been vocal about her support for fair pay and gender equality in the workplace. She slammed Fleiss for the dig.

“Your show does NOT pay [Ripa’s] salary. Also we don’t attack successful women on our network and men certainly cannot take credit for their success,” she wrote.

She also made it clear that she wasn’t afraid to criticize “The Bachelor,” either. She used the hashtag #bachelorsoooowhite. The franchise has been criticized for its lack of diversity.

Hannah Brown, the current Bachelorette, visited “Live” on Thursday, and her defense of the “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” was more diplomatic than Fleiss’ tweet.

“I have been very against women fighting for a guy,” Ripa reiterated during Thursday’s show (via Hollywood Life). “I don’t believe in it. I think it’s weird.”

Brown said that the shows were actually a positive experience for her. “Like you, I didn’t really follow the show [before], I wasn’t a big fan,” she said. “But being a part of the show is not women fighting against each other, really. Some of my best friends came from the show and were really supporting. When you have a group of 30 people, there will be people who don’t like each other. But ultimately, it’s one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done because I had to push myself and grow as an individual and I did.”