“That girl wrote me the biggest cheque”: Ellen Pompeo recalls the heartwarming moment when Taylor Swift donated a massive amount for charity

Hollywood and the music industry often collide in the most unexpected yet touching ways. One such heartwarming instance was recently shared by Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo, who revealed a generous act of kindness by none other than Taylor Swift. The global pop sensation, known for her philanthropy, once donated a significant sum to a charity close to Pompeo’s heart—all within minutes of being asked.

Taylor Swift’s instant generosity for children in need

Ellen Pompeo says Taylor Swift made a huge donation to a children’s charity “without blinking an eye”:

“It’s a really nice program but they need money to run it. So I just… asked Taylor, ‘Could you write me a big old check for Children’s?’ And she knew me all but 20 minutes and… pic.twitter.com/CpKMnZgCfe

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 2, 2025

While appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Pompeo opened up about an unforgettable moment when Swift’s generosity shone through. The actress and her husband, Chris Ivery, are deeply involved with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles , particularly a program designed for newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Explaining the initiative, Pompeo shared, "They have an amazing program at Children’s where they make music for the babies in the NICU. For the parents who have to go to work all day and can’t be with the kids, they record their voices singing nursery rhymes or telling them stories and play it for the babies in the day when the parents can’t be there. The babies respond to it, and it makes their outcomes more positive."

This crucial program, however, required financial support to continue making a difference. That’s when Pompeo turned to Swift for help.

Despite having only known Swift for a short time, Pompeo didn’t hesitate to reach out. She recalled, "I asked Taylor, ‘Could you write me a big old cheque for Children’s?’ and she knew me all but 20 minutes, and that girl wrote me the biggest cheque without blinking an eye."

🗣️| Ellen Pompeo reveals to Jennifer Hudson that Taylor Swift wrote her “the biggest check” for a children’s charity “without blinking an eye” back in 2015 while they were shooting the music video for “Bad Blood.”

“At the time, Chris (Ivery) and I, we do a lot of volunteering… pic.twitter.com/gRMffRD1gL

— Taylor Swift Updates 🩶 (@swifferupdates) April 2, 2025

Swift’s immediate willingness to contribute without hesitation showcases her deep commitment to using her wealth for good causes. Her spontaneous generosity left a lasting impact on Pompeo and further solidified their bond.

While Pompeo and Swift may not be frequently spotted together in public, their friendship runs deep. Their connection dates back to Swift naming one of her beloved cats after Pompeo’s iconic Grey’s Anatomy character, Meredith Grey. The actress later made an appearance in Swift’s star-studded Bad Blood music video, further cementing their camaraderie.

Also Read: Taylor Swift wants Travis Kelce’s full attention when starting a family, but NFL return complicates timing

Swift’s charitable spirit has long been celebrated, but stories like these continue to inspire fans worldwide. Whether through her music, her advocacy, or her generosity, Swift proves time and time again that her heart is just as big as her talent.