Isaiah Washington still remembers when his former Grey’s Anatomy co-star Katherine Heigl tried to cancel his career and silence him back in the day.
Washington recalled the incident in a passionate defense of his free speech rights on Monday.
The 57-year-old actor took to Twitter to share a photo of Heigl, 41, and accused the actress of trampling on his freedom of speech rights.
“This woman once proclaimed that I should ‘never’ be allowed to speak publicly again. The world agreed with her proclamation back then and protested for my job and my head in 65 languages. I wish I was on Twitter in 2007, because I will NEVER stop exercising my free speech.”
This woman once proclaimed that I should ‘never’ be allowed to speak publicly again. The world agreed with her proclamation back then and protested for my job and my head in 65 languages. I wish I was on Twitter in 2007, because I will NEVER stop exercising my free speech. pic.twitter.com/fQ6L1zfQRR
— The Tweet Sniper? (@IWashington) November 16, 2020
Washington, who portrayed Dr. Preston Burke on the ABC TV series, responded to a follower advising him to move on “in a positive way,” saying, “I’ve learned that all money ain’t good money and no amount of money can replace your dignity and integrity. Some call it living by your principles.”
I’ve learned that all money ain’t good money and no amount of money can replace your dignity and integrity. Some call it living by your principles.
— The Tweet Sniper? (@IWashington) November 16, 2020
Heigl, pictured with co-star Washington in 2005, previously accused him of uttering a homophobic slur towards their co-star T.R. Knight on the set.
Washington later addressed the allegation at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards, prompting Heigl to say that Washington “needs to just not speak in public.”
Within months, ABC announced the actor would not be returning to the show for its next season.
To save his career, he apologized in a written statement and also shot a PSA for LGBT+ rights support group, GLAAD.
Showrunner Shonda Rhimes appeared to take aim at Heigl while discussing her show Scandal in 2014.
“There are no Heigls in this situation,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t put up with bulls**t or nasty people. I don’t have time for it.”
