Sandra Oh's most recognizable character — hands down — is the beloved Cristina Yang from Grey's Anatomy. While most know Sandra Oh for her ten-season run on the critically acclaimed medical drama from creator Shonda Rhimes, not many know that Oh originally planned to audition for the character Dr. Bailey.
When Oh went to audition for the role of Bailey (ultimately played by Chandra Wilson), she didn't feel the character was right for her, so, while there, she asked what other character roles the producers were looking to fill. She found her connection with Cristina Yang and wanted to try out for that role instead. But in an interview with InStyle, Oh revealed she left before auditioning after getting a call from her manager. "She said, 'They won't sign your deal. Leave. Walk out,'" Oh recalled. "And I was just like, 'Ah, OK.' It was a real exercise in learning how to say no."
Fortunately, the stars aligned and the producers of the show went after her and offered her the role. Oh explained, "I left, and then they called me."
