Kerry Washington: Olivia Pope Is A Human Being, Not A Woman of Color

Award shows or Oval office, Kerry Washington’s style never falters. With the help of stylist Erin Walsh, the Scandal actress has earned what might be an unmatched reputation for looking the best while taking fashion risks.

She might rotate Prada and Balenciaga on the red carpet, but Washington swears she favors sweatpants at home. “I really admire and respect those woman who don’t go down that road,” she tells Yahoo Style contributor Amanda De Cadenet of the loungewear that’s largely taboo among women in Hollywood. “But it is a vital road…A critical road for me.”

In this episode of Style Sessions, the two talk about balancing motherhood, how Washington dealt with pregnancy in the public eye, and the way Olivia Pope uses clothing as armor. De Cadenet also points out that Washington’s been a much-needed female force for not only women in television, but for women of color in television.

“That’s not something that’s happened in almost 40 years. In my lifetime, it hadn’t happened!” Washington says, reflecting on the advancement that her character represents in the entertainment industry. She goes on, with conviction: “I love that it isn’t a part of the conversation anymore. We’re not really talking about how it’s rare to see a black woman on television anymore, because it’s all over the place. Olivia Pope is surrounded by powerful, strong, amazing women on television and so maybe she can stop being a woman of color and be a human being.”

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