Shonda Rhimes Opens Up Like Never Before on “Call Her Daddy”
Television icon Shonda Rhimes, the creative force behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Bridgerton, and Inventing Anna, recently joined Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast in an episode titled “Women Need to Brag More.”
In a rare, candid conversation, Rhimes peeled back the curtain on her personal evolution — from leaving Hollywood to embracing quiet life in Connecticut, her views on motherhood, success, and self-worth, and the creative process behind her global storytelling empire.
From Los Angeles to Connecticut: A New Chapter
After nearly three decades in Los Angeles, Shonda Rhimes made a surprising move to Westport, Connecticut, during the pandemic — and says she doesn’t miss L.A. at all.
Rhimes described how she cried in a Costco parking lot after getting her membership card — a deeply emotional moment symbolizing her rediscovery of normalcy after years in the limelight.
“It felt like the first time I was ever able to do anything that felt that normal,” Rhimes said.
She admitted that life in L.A. felt suffocating at times, surrounded by industry pressure. In Connecticut, she feels anonymous and free — “Nobody cares who you are here,” she added.
Rethinking Marriage and Identity
In her 2015 bestseller Year of Yes, Rhimes famously said she never wanted marriage. But on Call Her Daddy, she revealed that perspective might be shifting.
“Isn’t that interesting?” she mused, suggesting her once-firm stance might have softened over time.
She reflected on how engagement once made her feel boxed in, emphasizing that women often feel pressure to validate their worth through marriage rather than personal success. Rhimes continues to challenge those societal norms — celebrating independence while remaining open to evolution.
The Realities of Motherhood and Family
Rhimes spoke powerfully about motherhood, adoption, and surrogacy — sharing how she became a mother to three daughters: Harper, Emerson, and Beckett.
She admitted feeling judged early on for how she formed her family and confessed she hasn’t yet discussed sperm donation with her father.
“For a while, I felt like I had to justify how my children came into my family,” Rhimes shared. “But that’s not the issue — my family is my family.”
She also shared a touching anecdote: her eldest daughter once believed she worked in a hospital, having spent much of her childhood visiting the Grey’s Anatomy set.
“You Can’t Have It All at Once” — Her Message to Working Moms
Rhimes challenged the long-standing myth that women can “have it all.” She called that idea “such bullshit,” explaining that balance often means making sacrifices.
“There are moments when you have to let something slide — and that’s okay,” she said.
The showrunner emphasized that perfection is unrealistic, and the key to thriving is accepting imperfection — allowing oneself the freedom to fail without guilt.
Inside Shonda Rhimes’ Creative Mind
Even as the head of Shondaland, Rhimes remains deeply involved in storytelling. She revealed she currently has three projects in early development, though she won’t rush the process.
Rhimes also dismissed the idea of “writer’s block,” saying creativity comes in waves. “Sometimes you have something to say, sometimes you don’t. Don’t name it — or it becomes real.”
When asked which of her iconic characters she most identifies with, she instantly said Cristina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy, citing her ambition and clarity.
She joked that after so many medical scenes, she could probably perform an appendectomy — but she’d “rather be an intern in Grey Sloan than work at Olivia Pope’s firm.”
Power, Vulnerability, and Learning to Brag
The episode’s theme — “Women Need to Brag More” — resonated deeply with Rhimes. She admitted she once struggled to accept her power, even calling her lawyer to confirm she was the highest-paid showrunner in Hollywood.
Her takeaway for listeners: own your success unapologetically. Rhimes urged women to recognize that knowing your worth and asserting your achievements isn’t arrogance — it’s self-respect.
Shonda Rhimes’ “Call Her Daddy” Interview: A Testament to Reinvention
This Call Her Daddy conversation offered fans an unfiltered look at Shonda Rhimes beyond the television empire — a woman evolving, redefining herself, and inspiring others to do the same.
From crying at Costco to embracing imperfection, Rhimes’ revelations reminded listeners that even the most powerful women in entertainment are still searching for balance, authenticity, and peace.
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