Scandal actress Kerry Washington goes from TV politics to Democratic convention
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Kerry Washington stepped into the real-life political spotlight as the host of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug 22.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
CHICAGO – When Scandal debuted on ABC in 2012, American actress Kerry Washington became the first black woman to play the leading role in a network drama in almost 40 years.
The show was a hit, particularly with black viewers. At one point, more than 10 per cent of black households tuned in weekly to see Washington play a hard-charging Washington lawyer.
On Aug 22, Washington – known to fans of the show as Olivia Pope – stepped into the real-life political spotlight as the fourth and final host of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination for the upcoming Nov 5 elections at the convention on the same day.
American actor Tony Goldwyn, Washington’s Scandal co-star who played a fictional US president involved in a torrid affair with Olivia, was the first host. Republican commentator Ana Navarro and actress-comedienne Mindy Kaling filled the role of host on the intervening days.
On Scandal, Washington’s character captivated audiences with her political acumen, striking intelligence and flawless professional style – crisp suits, elegant wraps, red-soled Louboutin heels.
After the show went off the air in 2018, Washington increased her own political activity. She told trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter in 2023 that she was inspired in part by how the character shaped the audience’s feelings about politics and activism.
“People wanted this imaginary character to fix their problems, and I felt like this was a moment of real disconnect because we’re living in a democracy. We’re the people who hold the power to unlock the change that’s most important, but we keep passing that power off to characters on television,” Washington said.
In 2023, she started a non-profit, the KW Foundation, to support civic engagement. On several occasions, she has taken to social media to encourage her followers to register to vote, often with messages sure to grab the attention of Scandal fans.
In one, she posted what she said was information about a Scandal movie. The link actually redirected to a voter registration website.
The Democratic National Convention on Aug 22 marks the third time Washington has spoken at a political convention. In 2012, she delivered remarks at former US President Barack Obama’s second nominating convention; and, in 2020, she was one of several celebrities to emcee current US President Joe Biden’s virtual convention.
Washington has been an enthusiastic convention attendee this week, posing for photos with Goldwyn, Oprah Winfrey and various politicians, including Representative Nancy Pelosi, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland and former US President Bill Clinton.
Ms Harris and Washington have met before, when Washington visited the White House in 2023. It is not clear what they discussed, but in an apparent nod to her tenure as a (fictional) D.C. operative, Ms Harris posted a photo on social media with the caption, “Welcome back to the White House”. NYTIMES