Katherine Heigl hasn’t exactly had the best time promoting her new NBC show State of Affairs . When Heigl all but left the entertainment industry a few years ago, she didn’t exactly pave a great way for herself to come back in with open arms. Heigl’s reputation was already tarnished with rumors of her difficulty on set, and just being an all around unpleasant person.
Right before she made her return to TV, a few stories came out explaining that she wasn’t worth the effort. Due to stories like these, and Heigl’s own outspoken manner, the former Grey’s Anatomy star had a lot to answer for when she came back into the game.
Recently, Heigl’s TCA press round wound up a bit awkward, but now her State of Affairs co-star is coming to Katherine’s defense for her so-called haters — whether they’re industry or not.
Alfre Woodard had a few choice words about the otherwise uncomfortable situation. According to Heigl, who spoke with Entertainment Weekly , the actress said Heigl’s manager-mother Nancy shouldn’t pay attention to the haters.
“Alfre just took my mom’s face in her hands and went ‘Read my lips: F–k those a–holes! And it’s Alfre, so you believe her.”
Woodard plays the president and the mother of a deceased son. Heigl’s character just so happened to be in a serious relationship with Woodward’s son, who now has to face the president on a daily basis through intelligence briefing.
When Heigl was asked about her reputation at the TCAs, after an awkward pause she gave a calm and controlled response, which is miles away from her old brash red carpet interviews from the Grey’s days.
“I can only say that I certainly don’t see myself as difficult. I would never intend to be difficult. I think it’s important for everyone to conduct themselves professionally, respectfully and kindly.”
As for why she quit a very prominent role on Grey’s Anatomy , Heigl told Good Housekeeping that her priorities were a bit out of whack.
“I felt like my priorities were messed up. I was putting so much time and energy into just my work, but I was raised [to believe] that family comes first. I would come home angry and frustrated that I’d missed everything with my kid that day. I didn’t get to wake her up from her nap, or do bath time or bedtime. I’d have to sneak into her room and kiss her when she was sleeping, hoping not to wake her up.”
[Image via NBC]