Kerry Washington on Scandal's Abortion Scene: Cathartic & Healing

0:00Hey, it's Cory with the story with entertainment and celebrity news today. Your Daily Pop Culture Update. Kerry Washington recently opened up on the Call Her Daddy podcast about playing Olivia Pope on Scandal, the 49-year-old actress starred in the political drama from 2012 to 2018. In season 5, her character had an abortion during a key episode while a senator fought to cut Planned Parenthood funding. She explained that filming the scene was not triggering for her. Instead, it felt cathartic. Washington shared that she had gone through the procedure herself years earlier, but kept deprived at the time. Through Olivia Pope, she got to express her own story without the world knowing. After the episode aired in 2015, she felt less burdened and more healed emotionally. It was like stepping into her truth. Washington talked about the shame she fell back then from getting pregnant young. The role helped her learn to stand up for her boundaries and embrace bodily autonomy. She respects differing views, but stresses women's right to choose.

1:01The episode drew fire from conservative groups who called it Hollywood's moral low point. Showrunner Shonda Rhymes later noted the backlash was louder than expected. Fans proved more supportive than network execs feared. This story is shared with support from our sponsor. Some people meditate. I just lay down and press play, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.