Grey's Creator Defends Katherine Heigl

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The powers that be behind ABC's Grey's Anatomy are using their full arsenal to defend Grey's star Katherine Heigl from reports that she wants to check out of Seattle Grace Hospital for good.

In a statement to OK! on Thursday, Grey's executive producer and creator Shonda Rhimes explained Heigl's minimal storyline last season, saying, "The second half of the season, Katherine personally asked me to write her light so she could concentrate on her movie."

Rhimes said she did not take Heigl's comments about not having enough storyline to be considered for an Emmy personally.

The actress withdrew her name from the running, telling the Los Angeles Times in June, "I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention."

Regarding the recent controversy over Heigl leaving the show, ABC president Steve McPherson says, "she's absolutely staying with the show. There's an unbelievable storyline for her this year. We are excited about that."