It’s been nearly 13 years since “Grey’s Anatomy” debuted on ABC, and star Ellen Pompeo is ready to get paid.

That’s the takeaway from a new interview in the Hollywood Reporter in which the actress detailed the path to understanding her worth, demanding it and how series creator Shonda Rhimes led the way.

“Decide what you think you’re worth and then ask for what you think you’re worth. Nobody’s just going to give it to you,” Rhimes told Pompeo. It was advice the actress took to heart.

Late last year, Pompeo signed a new deal earning more than $575,000 per episode, with a seven-figure signing bonus and two full backend equity points on the series, meaning the actress will make more than $20 million per year.

That makes Pompeo the highest-paid actress on a television drama, outpaid by only a handful of sitcom stars, including Sofia Vergara and Kaley Cuoco.

And why not?

At first, Pompeo was afraid to ask for too much, lest she look greedy.

“But CAA compiled a list of stats for me, and ‘Grey’s’ has generated nearly $3 billion for Disney,” she said. “When your face and your voice have been part of something that’s generated $3 billion for one of the biggest corporations in the world, you start to feel like, ‘OK, maybe I do deserve a piece of this.’”

(Excerpt) Read More in: Los Angeles Times