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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 29, 2012)
Arts & Entertainment Kerry Washington: The ‘A Thousand Words’ Interview By Kam Williams Special to The Skanner News Words,” a comedy co-starring Eddie Murphy. B Kam Williams: Hi Kerry, thanks for the interview. Kerry Washington: Thank you, Kam. How are you? orn in the Bronx on Jan. 31, 1977, Kerry Washington attend- ed the Spence School and gradu- ated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from George Washington Uni- versity. After making an impressive film debut in Our Song in 2000, she went on to win the NAACP Image Award just five years later for playing Ray Charles’ wife, Della, opposite Jamie Foxx in “Ray.” She will again be paired with Jamie as his spouse in “Django Unchained,” Quentin Taranti- no’s revenge flick about slavery in the antebellum South. Over the course of her meteoric rise in Hollywood, Kerry has proved to be a versatile thespian by virtue of an impressive list of credits that includes memorable performances in “Mother and Child,” “Night Catches Us,” “For Colored Girls,” “The Last King of Scot- land,” “The Dead Girl” and “Lakeview Terrace.” She has also co-starred in KW: Great! And you? Kerry: Fine, thanks. KW: What interested you in “A Thousand Words?” Kerry: I really liked the message of the film, as well as the opportunity to work with Eddie Murphy. KW: What was it like working with Eddie? Kerry: It was great! It was particular- ly fun for me because I had worked with so many people who looked up to Eddie who had been inspired to go into the business by him, from Chris Rock to Jamie Foxx to the Wayans Brothers. So, it was like finally going to the source. KW: Did you every have trouble keeping a straight face on the set? Kerry: Yeah, he’s very funny. But he’s also incredi- bly focused, and takes come- dy very seriously, if that makes any sense. [Chuckles] There are so many untold stories when it comes to great women of color. Harriet Tubman’s definitely a shero, for sure Words” seems to be double top secret. I can’t find it anywhere at the usual online sources. 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 concealing 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 yourself 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 ris- ing. See CELEBRITY on page 10 KW: I have a lot of questions for you from fans. Kerry: Oh, fun! KW: Larry Greenberg says: The name of your character in “A Thousand www.theskanner.cOm “Fantastic Four” and its sequel, “Rise of the Silver Surfer,” “Miracle at St. Anna,” “I Think I Love My Wife,” “Lit- tle Man,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “She Hate Me,” “Against the Ropes,” “The Human Stain” and “Save the Last Dance.” On the small screen, Kerry is set to play the lead role of Olivia Pope on “Scandal,” a dramatic TV-series pre- miering on ABC in April. Here, she talks about her latest film, “A Thousand KW: Of course it does. What message do you think people will take away from the movie? Kerry: It’s kind of about valuing your words, understanding that what you say has consequences, and that you can’t just B.S. your way through life. Kerry Washington and Eddie Murphy star in “A Thousand Words” February 29, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 7
