There’s no denying that Olivia Pope is black girl magic in its truest form: she dated the president of the United States, she saves politicians in trouble, and parlays with kidnappers while running her own firm. Indeed, it doesn’t get any better than that.
But Kerry Washington’s life off-screen is also black girl magic. In fact, when asked about her top black girl magic moments the Scandal actress mentions her one-year-old daughter, Isabelle. “It would be crazy not to mention my daughter,” says Washington. “She is black girl magic!”
When Washington reflects over the last year, another magical moment she remembers is Viola Davis winning the Emmy while having Taraji P. Henson there to celebrate with her. “It was such a great evening and her speech was perfect,” says Washington.
Davis, after becoming the first African-American to win an Emmy for best actress in a drama, gave a moving speech that touched on opportunities in Hollywood for women of color. “Her win really meant a lot to me, personally,” says Washington. “Having win for Shondaland was great. It has been too long.”