You’ve probably been shaded by literary fortress Shonda Rhimes and you don’t even know it. You’ve been too busy warding off the irreparable damage from shade queens like Mariah and Madonna, you haven’t even had Shonda (who’s quickly becoming shade royalty) on your radar. But she’s good. And she’s quick.
When the TV Queen isn’t penning your favorite shows, she’s keeping her eye out for the haters-her own actors included-who she shuts down in record time. Her leading ladies are known for being unapologetic, so why wouldn’t she be? Ha, silly little peasants. She is the most unapologetic. See how the mastermind has transformed shade-throwing into a new art most of us can only hope to achieve in a lifetime. In honor of Shonda’s 46th birthday, get inspired from her most creative shady moments to date. And wear a parka.
8. When she called out the moron who wrote this Deadline article about ethnic castings on Twitter. (March, 2015)
1st Reaction:: HELL NO. Lemme take off my earrings, somebody hold my purse! 2nd Reaction: Article is so ignorant I can't even be bothered.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) March 25, 2015
Tweeting is a pretty basic form of throwing shade. Khloe Kardashian has done it. Frankie Muniz has done it. If Teletubbies were living beings, they would do it. But we’re only at #8 and Shonda is already taking off her earrings, so brace yourselves.
7. When she went in on the TV critic who called her an “angry black woman” in the NY Times. (Sept., 2014)
Apparently we can be "angry black women" together, because I didn't know I was one either! @petenowa #LearnSomethingNewEveryday
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
Final thing: (then I am gonna do some yoga): how come I am not "an angry black woman" the many times Meredith (or Addison!) rants? @nytimes
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
Wait. I'm" angry" AND a ROMANCE WRITER?!! I'm going to need to put down the internet and go dance this one out. Because ish is getting real.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) September 19, 2014
Sassy, classy and not the least bit ratchet. Only Shonda would go in on a bitch and follow it up with some yoga. Namastay in your lane, people.
6. Serving this soul-cutting face. (July, 2014)
5. When Larry Wilmore asked if she’s killed an actor off a show because she didn’t like them. (Nov., 2015)
Her response? “I’m not naming names.” This one is up to the imagination. And to all of you prima donna actors with a guilty conscience: you can sit tormented and think about what you’ve done. Mwuahahahaha.
4. When she dragged Broadway royalty Idina Menzel and Julie Andrews into her critique of Lady Gaga’s performance of “The Sound of Music” at the Oscars. (Feb., 2015)
That was not okay. I mean, Idina is there. She is right there. RIGHT THERE. And oh dear God, Julie had to hear that. #Oscars2015
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) February 23, 2015
Her words didn’t flat-out say she despised Gaga’s performance, but the context clues did. Disgusted. Mortified. Debating ever listening to music again.
3. When she used “Heigls” (as in Katherine Heigl) as code for “assholes.” (Oct., 2014)
2. When she wanted the NY Times article calling her an “angry black woman” to remain published. (Oct., 2014)
1. And lastly, when she had Kerry Washington’s Scandal character Olivia Pope be referred to as an “angry black woman” in season 5. (Fall, 2015)
