Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Getty images
Sandra Oh has never been one to shy away from discomfort—on-screen or off. Speaking to Dartmouth College’s Class of 2025, the acclaimed actress peeled back the curtain on her decade-long journey as Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy—a role that brought her fame, fortune, and emotional turmoil.
As she received an honorary doctorate in arts, the Killing Eve star delivered a powerful commencement speech. Her message? Embrace discomfort.
“Nothing has taught me more than being with discomfort,” Oh said. “It can be our greatest learning opportunity.”
She urged graduates to sit with their unease and use it as a tool for self-discovery and growth. The lesson didn’t come easy—it was forged through her years on one of TV’s most iconic dramas.
A Decade of Fame and Friction
Playing Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy was not just a career-defining moment. It was also a deeply challenging one.
“I gained financial stability, fame, and privilege,” Oh admitted. “But it was also one of the most difficult decades of my life.”
When she joined the cast in her early 30s, she came in with confidence and conviction. She believed in the character she was playing—and she fought hard to protect her.
“If something didn’t sit right in the script, I would push back,” she said. “I felt responsible for Cristina.”
That passion, while contributing to a memorable performance, often sparked tension. So much so that the production brought in a “Sandra whisperer”—a staffer assigned to help navigate her concerns.
Shonda Rhimes Steps In
Oh recalled one particularly intense disagreement. It escalated to a call with Grey’s creator Shonda Rhimes.
“She told me, ‘Sandra, we’ve been here before. Just say the damn words. Something will come through.’”
Those words stuck with her. Today, Oh says she no longer needs a whisperer. She’s learned to self-regulate and trust the process.
Dancing It Out, Cristina-Style
To close her speech, Oh invoked her character’s most iconic advice: dance it out.
“When the world gets hard—or when it’s good, like today—take time to dance it out,” she said.
As David Guetta’s Titanium played, the crowd rose to their feet. It was a moment of pure celebration, led by a woman who had lived through—and grown from—the chaos.
Saying Goodbye to Cristina
Reflecting on her exit in Season 10, Oh said she left when the time felt right.
“I knew I had done all I could,” she told EW. “It was time to say goodbye.”
Her early decision allowed writers to craft a proper send-off for Cristina. One that gave closure—both for her and the audience.
Will She Return?
For years, Oh has maintained she won’t return to Grey’s Anatomy. But now, there’s a hint of uncertainty.
She said, ‘I don't feel the need to revisit, but I also profoundly understand the audience's love for this character, because I've seen it for the past 10 years. That's the part that makes me just go, hmmm’.
