'Grey's Anatomy' Star Chyler Leigh Talks New Love, Old Flames, The Music Event & More

I don't know a single 'Grey's Anatomy' fan that isn't going through withdrawal. We haven't had a new episode in a month, and the teases and scoops and sneak peek videos have been enough to drive anyone to a rage-filled Seattle Grace shoot-out. (Too soon?)

Never fear because there's finally a new episode this week (Thurs., March 24, 9PM ET on ABC). I caught up with star Chyler Leigh, the forever in flux Dr. Lexie Grey -- who was last seen showering with sexy Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) -- to find out what's coming next.

First up, there's this week's big baby shower episode for Callie, complete with the typical shower games and, in true 'Grey's' fashion, some major drama.

Then next week we'll finally see The Music Event, 'Grey's Anatomy''s much-anticipated 'Song Beneath the Song' musical episode, in which Leigh will be singing Anna Nalick's 'Breathe (2 AM),' alongside cast performances of The Fray's 'How to Save a Life,' Snow Patrol's 'Chasing Cars' and other songs that the show has helped make famous.

Leigh dished about Lexie's newfound relationship with Jackson, her ongoing flirtation with Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) and more. Then she tried her best not to spoil anything about the big music-filled extravaganza (Thurs., March 31, 9PM ET).



Like what about my theory -- if you hate theories, don't read this paragraph! -- that, since it's all from Callie (Sara Ramirez)'s perspective and that baby of hers is causing lots of drama and she sings 'Chasing Cars' that she's in some horrible car accident and maybe possibly loses the baby? Calm down, it's just a theory. But have you seen the preview (below) with everyone rushing to meet an ambulance and Bailey (Chandra Wilson) operating and looking at the patient's hand reaching for hers? Just sayin' ...


But Leigh's a pro and wouldn't confirm or deny a thing. "Oh I so can't tell you that! I so can't say anything. It's just gonna be one of those classic lines, 'Well you'll just have to watch and find out.' I'm giving it to you!"

Read on for more spoiler-free goodness ...

Before we get to The Music Event, can we please talk about Lexie and Jackson's big shower moment?
Oh my god! [Laughs] Yeah, we were kind of shocked when that whole thing came up. When we first heard about it, we were kind of like, oh yeah, they're having this really great, sweet conversation out by her car, and blah blah blah, and then they're in the shower. We were like, "Wait, wait, wait, back that up. What?" It's kind of like, oh OK, alright then, I'll start doing my push-ups and my sit-ups. [Laughs] We don't get much warning for a topless scene, so ... you kind of always have to be topless ready.

The flirtation has been brewing for a while, but bam! Shower time!
Yeah, that was a 0 to 60. That was pretty funny.

Do you think Lexie and Jackson have long-term relationship potential?
I think there's definitely the potential of there being a future. They are in the same place in their lives -- professionally and personally -- and they're both striving to be better doctors, to be better people. They're both young, it's refreshing, they care about one another, they confide in one another, they have fun together. There are so many reasons, and there's such a great formula for why it should work. But at the same time, with Mark there's a history, there is an intense past and a love ... a very deep love. That is something that is very hard to just say, "OK I'm completely over it." Especially considering I see him so often -- we still work in the same place. His situation, his life choices, his relationships are now so in the forefront that it's hard for her to not be a part of it in some way, shape or form. It's very complicated, in good 'Grey's' tradition.

Like this week -- obviously Lexie isn't thrilled that Mark is having another child with someone who isn't her, but she still has to go to the baby shower.
Right. Yes, it's awkward. It is uncomfortable in moments. There is a little interaction between Mark and Lexie, and again, it is awkward. And there's a lot of really cute little moments in the baby shower as well -- just like typical baby shower things that people do, little games and things like that -- so that's kind of fun. But from an emotional standpoint, it's definitely an uncomfortable situation for all of them, especially the little interaction between Mark and Lexie.

As many times as Mark has messed up, are you ever shocked how much fans want Mark and Lexie to be together?
It does still surprise me, but you know, at the same time, underneath all of it, they are really good for each other. They really are. There are so many qualities about their relationship that do make a lot of sense. She grounds him, she brings him down and she kind of helps give him that sense of what he wants, and an understanding of where he wants to go personally. For her, he's helped mature her and give her confidence as a doctor, as a person, as an individual who is just growing up. He's helped her in so many ways, so there is a lot to their relationship that does make a lot of sense. I can see that from a fan standpoint -- like "Why can't it work? Why do all these things have to keep coming up?" -- but there's no drama if you don't have those kinds of things. [Laughs] And what fun is that?

And you all have plenty of hot, sexy men in that cast to choose from ...
No, there really isn't. Everybody is sexy and everybody's got these beautiful qualities about them. Justin [Chambers], who I am in love with -- he is such a wonderful person, he is so handsome, all the girls have a big crush on Justin. And then, of course, Patrick [Dempsey] -- he is so ridiculous [laughs], but he's got that quality. Then of course Eric [Dane]. And Kevin [McKidd], who is just the resident rockstar here. And Jim [Pickens Jr.]. I mean, come on. Jim is a cowboy. He is a handsome, Stetson kind of man. [Laughs] There is no shortage of handsome, dashing men on this set for sure.


Agreed. And now we get to see you all bursting into song. Can you tell us any more about The Music Event?
I really genuinely can't -- where's the fun in that if you already know what's gonna happen? [Laughs]

We know it's from Callie's perspective ...
Yeah. So with all parties included, it definitely makes for a very interesting scenario between people that are involved. There is definitely some interesting stuff that goes down between Lexie and Mark, Mark and Arizona ... there are a lot of things that kind of come to a head in this episode. But it's so beautifully written and so wonderfully sung by everybody. It was really, genuinely a fantastic experience.

For fans of the show, is this a more serious episode or a more lighthearted one?
It is definitely intense. I would definitely have some tissues nearby for sure. There are, in true 'Grey's' style, some moments that come up that kind of lighten the situation. That's really what 'Grey's' is so well-known for -- amidst the tragedy, there's always at least a way to laugh or a way to smile or breathe a little bit, no pun intended. [Laughs] But it's an intense, really beautiful episode. This one's going to go down in the books for sure. I think it's a great opportunity for fans and people in the industry to see what we can do.

Were you scared at all about getting in the recording studio for this?
Initially I was nervous -- definitely -- but singing is at the heart of me, and it's something that I absolutely love to do but have always been terrified to do in front of people. My husband knows I sing, close friends know I sing, I sing to my kids all the time. I played the recording for my family and my son, about a week or so later, came up to me -- he's seven -- and he said, "So mommy, when you're done with your job, when you don't have to do acting anymore, you're gonna be doing singing right? Because you have such a beautiful voice and I really want you to be a singer now."

Oh my cuteness ...
Yeah, when he said that, I was just like, dude, I will do anything for you. Watch out, Radio Disney, here I come! I'm gonna sing for my boy!

So they're into 'Breathe,' the song you're singing?
Oh yeah. My daughter just randomly will run around the house going "Breathe! Just breathe!" Just randomly she'll sing the chorus, and it's so cute. I think it's the sweetest thing -- she's four, and she loves it. She loves the song.