Latest news with #CristinaYang
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sandra Oh says 'Grey's Anatomy' had 'dedicated Sandra whisperer' to deal with her script demands: 'I would fight'
Sandra Oh learned many lessons during her time playing Cristina Yang on Grey's Anatomy, and one of the most important was how to live with discomfort. While speaking to Dartmouth College's graduating class of 2025 on Sunday, the Canadian-born actress urged graduates to find inner strength and kindness while overcoming challenges in their lives. "Nothing has taught me more than being with discomfort," Oh said during her commencement speech, while receiving an honorary doctorate of the arts. "It can be our greatest learning opportunity, and it is also inevitable. So if you can train yourself not to turn away but to learn how to be with your discomfort and trust that it might be telling you something you don't yet know, it can help you develop an inner strength that will enable you to face the challenges life presents you without losing your values or your sense of self along the way." The Emmy-winning performer, who was recommended to give the speech by Darthmouth alum and Grey's mastermind Shonda Rhimes, said that while "the great privilege" of playing Cristina for 10 seasons on ABC's medical drama brought her "financial stability, fame, and privilege," it was also "one of the most challenging decades of my life." "I learned profound lessons during this time because so much of it was so uncomfortable," Oh continued. "When I started Grey's, I was in my early 30s, so I had an idea of who I was and what the work entailed, but I had no idea what was coming. I demanded a lot from myself and from the writers. If something bothered me in a script, I would fight for what I believed what was right for the character of Cristina because I felt responsible for her. And while this contributed to the creation of a memorable character, my desire to make the dialogue fit and my belief that I knew what was best for the character also caused grief for the writers and for me." Oh told graduates that the Shondaland production had a "dedicated Sandra whisperer on staff" who was tasked with coming to the Grey's set to "deal with me." "That doesn't happen anymore. I am my own whisperer," Oh declared. "One time… the writers and I were at an impasse about something in this script, and I had to have a call with the big boss. And Shonda, I'll never forget, she said to me, 'Sandra, we have been here before. You got to trust me. Something will come through if you just say the damn words.' … It has stayed with me. I heard her." Concluding her speech, Oh channeled her iconic character and proved she still knows the value of "dancing it out." "When the world gets hard, or when it's good — especially when it's good, like today — by yourself, with people you love, with strangers, always take the time to dance it out!" Oh proclaimed. The attendees then rose to their feet to dance in celebration as David Guetta's "Titanium" played. Oh's Cristina Yang rode into the Grey's Anatomy pilot on her motorcycle and stuck around for a decade before leaving Ellen Pompeo's Meredith (and the show) with a reminder that she was the sun in 2014. "I took it very, very seriously," Oh told Entertainment Weekly in March for our Shondaland anniversary celebration. "I knew in my gut that I had done as much as I could. I really, really felt I did my job. I also was very, very cognizant that not many actors get to do this: create a full character and really live through their life, and then actually make the choice to come to a close." Looking back at her final seasons on the show, Oh said she was grateful her early decision "creatively gave the writers a runway, so they could plan" Cristina's final act. "And I think that they planned it beautifully," she said. "It also gave me time to move the audience with me to say goodbye to this character and wish her well. And I think that — at least I hope — myself and the writers, we did that."Since the season 10 finale, the Grey's team has kept Cristina a part of the show's world — albeit only via text messages and other written correspondence. Since her final episode, Oh has been vehement in her stance of not playing Cristina again. But now… "For the longest time, it has always been a hard no. And it's just… I don't know. I just don't know," Oh told EW, searching for the right words. "When you finish something, it's a deep process… I just cannot tell you… I can't stress to you enough how consciously I tried to fully process leaving. I don't feel the need to revisit, but I also profoundly understand the audience's love for this character, because I've seen it for the past 10 years. That's the part that makes me just go, hmmm." Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
IOL News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Sandra Oh: From fictional doctor to honorary graduate, a full-circle moment that has us cheering
'A Dr. for real reals!! (Okay, honorary)' - Sandra Oh. Image: Instagram If you're a millennial like me, the name Sandra Oh immediately conjures up images of the iconic Dr. Cristina Yang from "Grey's Anatomy". Her razor-sharp wit, unflinching confidence and the unforgettable "twisted sisterhood" she shared with Meredith Grey became the gold standard for friendship goals. Sandra Oh was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, joining the Class of 2025 as their commencement speaker. Image: Sandra Oh/Instagram Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ For many of us, Yang wasn't just a character; she was a phenomenon one we're still chasing in our own lives. But Sandra Oh is far more than just Cristina Yang. And once again, she's proving she's a force to be reckoned with, both on and off-screen. This time, Sandra isn't scrubbing in to save lives in a fictional operating room. She's stepping into the spotlight as a "doctor for real" - well, honorary doctor, but who's counting? A doctorate and a dream fulfilled Sandra Oh was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, joining the Class of 2025 as their commencement speaker. And while Cristina Yang's medical brilliance was scripted, this moment was all Oh's. On her Instagram, she celebrated the milestone with her signature humour and humility: "A Dr. for real reals!! (Okay, honorary)' she quipped. The post was accompanied by snapshots of her in a graduation gown, delivering her speech, and even dancing it out with the graduates - a nod to the celebratory spirit her fans know and love. But what makes this moment even more poignant? Sandra revealed in her speech that she never attended university herself. "I only played characters who have," she joked. "So thank you for helping fulfil my parents' dream of me actually getting a degree. And a doctorate at that!" It was a heartfelt acknowledgement of her immigrant parents' aspirations and an emotional full-circle moment for the actress. Sandra's commencement speech wasn't just a highlight reel of her career or a sentimental "thank you". It was a masterclass in vulnerability, resilience, and growth. "If you can train yourself not to turn away, but to learn to be with your discomfort, and trust that it might be telling you something you don't yet know," she advised the graduates. Her words struck a chord, reminding us all that growth often comes from sitting with the uncomfortable moments we'd rather avoid. Of course, she delivered her message with the same wit and charm that made Cristina Yang so beloved. "When they presented the offer (of giving the speech), I thought, 'Huh, well, that's nice. What a privilege…' And then I thought ABSOLUTELY NOT,"she said, laughing. But, as always, Sandra persevered, turning her initial hesitation into a moment of connection and inspiration. From Grey's to greatness Sandra Oh's career is a testament to the power of storytelling. She became a household name thanks to her role as Dr. Cristina Yang, the ambitious cardiothoracic surgeon who made us laugh, cry and believe in the power of unapologetic ambition. Her time on "Grey's Anatomy" from 2005 to 2014 cemented her as one of the most iconic characters in television history. And while Sandra departed from the show over a decade ago, Cristina's legacy lives on. The 'twisted sisterhood' shared with Meredith Grey that has become a gold standard for friendship goals. Image: TikTok fan page The character is still referenced in the series through calls, letters, and even lingering storylines, keeping fans hopeful for a possible return. Even her former co-star Kevin McKidd (Dr. Owen Hunt) has expressed his desire to see her back on Grey's, stating that they didn't really get a proper goodbye. Sandra, however, seems content to leave that chapter behind. "I've put that gently aside," she told PEOPLE during a recent interview. Beyond "Grey's Anatomy", Sandra Oh has continued to captivate audiences with her versatility. From her Emmy-nominated performance in "Killing Eve" to her voice work in animated hits like "Turning Red", she's proven time and time again that her talent knows no bounds, in Hollywood. So here's to Sandra Oh, a 'Dr. for real reals,' a role model for the ages, and proof that sometimes life imitates art in the most extraordinary ways. And to all the dreamers out there: keep dancing it out.
