Arts & Entertainment
Celebrity
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KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles asks: How
can our stars and idols avoid the pressure
that celebrity brings in order to prevent the
kind of tragedy we all witnessed recently
when we mourned the passing of Whitney
Houston?
Kerry: I’m reluctant to comment about
preventing that specifically, since we don’t
yet know all the details, and because I did-
n’t know Whitney well enough. So, I can’t
say how we can avoid repeating that partic-
ular tragedy. But I will say that, for me, it is
important to have friends and family around
that I love and trust and who love and trust
me. And having a great therapist also
helps.
KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls
asks: What is the next challenge you’re tak-
ing on in life and as an artist?
Kerry: Well, right now, I’m shooting a
feature with Quentin Tarantino which is
very challenging.
KW: Speaking of “Django Unchained,”
Marcia Evans says: Continue making us
proud, Sister Kerry. I can’t wait to see you
in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming film.
What can you tell us about the production at
this point?
Kerry: Unfortunately, I’m not really at
liberty to talk about it much. But I will say
that it’s great to be working with Jamie
again.
KW: Marcia also says: I loved you in
“Mother and Child” and I enjoyed the cover
story about you in the March issue of
Essence Magazine in which you discuss
your future acting projects. Do you have an
Page 10 The Portland Skanner
interest in playing any heroic ancestors,
such as Harriet Tubman?
Kerry: I do, eventually, although I
haven’t settled on any specific people yet.
There are so many untold stories when it
comes to great women of color. Harriet
Tubman’s definitely a shero, for sure. And I
just heard that Regina King is doing Shirley
Chisholm, perfect casting, which is another
need to fill the void. But, today, for exam-
ple, I’ll be attending Essence Magazine’s
fantastic “Women in Hollywood” event. I
look forward to that every year. And Alfre
Woodard hosts a big dinner every year dur-
ing awards season. So, there are already a
number of gatherings centered around
women of color who are doing inspiring
work.
Right now my dream role would be to have
another season on ‘Scandal,’ which will be
debuting on ABC on April 5, because that has
just been a tremendously fulfilling experience,
artistically, which I’d love to be able to continue
story that has to be told.
KW: What would be your dream role?
Kerry: Right now my dream role would
be to have another season on ‘Scandal,’
which will be debuting on ABC on April 5,
because that has just been a tremendously
fulfilling experience, artistically, which I’d
love to be able to continue. It’s been phe-
nomenal to work with quality of writers I’ve
been exposed to on that project.
KW: Marcia is wondering, whether you
would consider organizing a legends lunch-
eon, like Oprah did, so elders can share their
life lessons with aspiring young sisters?
Kerry: I’m not sure that organizing such
a function is my role in the community right
now, but I’m always happy to participate
when somebody else can. [Chuckles] If oth-
ers weren’t already doing it, I might feel the
February 29, 2012
KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What
excites you?
Kerry: Sunshine, swimming and home-
cooked meals. I’m going to tell Sanaa you
asked me her excellent question when I see
her later today
KW: Can you come up with a good
generic question I can use in future inter-
views? I’ll call it the Kerry Washington
question.
Kerry: Oh, what fun! I love that! How
about: If you were an animal, what animal
would you be? [Laughs]
KW: That’s great. That’ll be the Kerry
Washington question. Now, the Melissa
Harris-Perry question: How did your first
big heartbreak impact who you are as a per-
son?
Kerry: Oh, I love Mel. She’s such a smart
woman. I think my first big heartbreak
made me more compassionate about other
people’s heartaches. It enabled me to feel
more for others when they are in moments
of pain.
KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What
key quality do you believe all successful
people share?
Kerry: I really don’t know whether there
is only one, actually. There are many differ-
ent types of success, so, I don’t think the
formula can be reduced to just one key qual-
ity.
KW: Let me finish with four questions
from Pastor Alex Kendrick: When do you
feel the most content?
Kerry: When I’m taking care of myself
physically, emotionally and spiritually.
KW: What do you wish other people
would note about you?
Kerry: Nothing. [LOL]
KW: What motivates you?
Kerry: Wanting to be of service. Not
wanting to waste this life that I’ve been
blessed to have.
KW: What defines who you are?
Kerry: Oh, that changes all the time.
KW: Well, thanks again for the time,
Kerry, and best of luck with A Thousand
Words and with the new TV show.
Kerry: It’s been nice speaking with you
again, Kam.