Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo has taken aim at TMZ founder Harvey Levin over the outlet’s coverage regarding Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna’s death.
Yesterday, she accused the publication of “exploiting the brutal sudden death” of the star and called for a “times up on [Levin]’s behaviour.”
Bryant and his daughter died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, along with seven other people.
TMZ was the first outlet to break the news, however they reported the story before the Los Angeles Police Department could inform Bryant’s surviving family of the basketball star’s tragic death.
Two high ranking police officials have since slammed TMZ for its “wholly inappropriate” actions in statements, however Levin defended its actions in a KNX radio interview claiming that a representative for Bryant told him “very clearly that she had been notified.”
Pompeo tagged Levin directly in a series of tweets, raising questions about how TMZ sources its “sensitive info” and coverage of both celebrity deaths and violence against women.
She tweeted, “So many questions I have ...if we are not tolerating abuse anymore... shouldn’t we be calling this out? Exploiting women who have been abused... exploiting the brutal sudden death of peoples loved ones is certainly emotional abuse...”
“I call times up on his behavior,” she continued, referencing the anti-sexual harassment movement sweeping across Hollywood.
“We should be furious about the history of this media outlet regarding women... it’s not news it’s exploitation,” she said. “So many people’s lives will never be the same after this tragedy... but you got your scoop. Hope you sleep well at night @HarveyLevinTMZ I’m sure you do…”
She also questioned why Levin’s business “puts out photos of women who have been attacked or assaulted”, as well as raising questions about how TMZ sources its “sensitive info.”
In a press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva called out TMZ for its reporting of the Bryants’ death before his family could be told. He said via CNN, “It would be extremely disrespectful to understand that your loved one ... perished and you learn about it from TMZ. That is just wholly inappropriate.”
Undersheriff Tim Murakami also said that he was “saddened” by an unnamed media outlet, writing, “I am saddened that I was gathering facts as a media outlet reported the Kobe had passed. I understand getting the scoop but please allow us time to make personal notifications to their loved ones. It’s very cold to hear of the loss via media Breaks my heart.”
Tributes to the former Lakers star and his daughter have poured out across social media and at recent awards ceremonies, including at the Grammys which were held on the same day news of the helicopter crash surfaced. Host Alicia Keys opened the ceremony with a musical tribute to Bryant, while the player was also mentioned by stars including Lizzo and DJ Khaled.
