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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 29, 2012)
Arts & Entertainment Celebrity continued from page 6 You’re just credited everywhere as “Jack McCall’s wife.” Will you tell us her name? Kerry: Oh, that’s weird. I have no idea why that is. Her name is Caroline. I hope the studio didn’t have a reason for conceal- ing it because I just let the cat out of the bag. KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks: if you could go back in time and give your- self at 18 a piece of advice, what would that be? Kerry: It would be: Relax and enjoy the ride. It gets easier. KW: Bernadette also asks: What is your favorite charity? Kerry: Well, I’m on the board of V-Day, which is a global movement to end violence against women. I’m very passionate about that. We have a new campaign called one billion rising. 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. 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 story that has to be told. 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 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 interest in playing any heroic ancestors, such as Harriet Tubman? Kerry: I do, eventually, although I 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 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. 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. Read the rest of this story online at www.theskanner.com ONLINE Scan our QR code with your app. theskannermobile.com Page 8 The Seattle Skanner February 29, 2012
