Kylie & Kerry Washington on ‘Scandal’ Shooting Secrets, A Royal Correction & Bennie Crashes The Set

Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce

Kylie Kelce hosts Kerry Washington to discuss her iconic role as Olivia Pope on Scandal, navigating pregnancy while filming long hours, and step

Key takeaways

• Kerry Washington worked 16-hour days in high heels while pregnant during Scandal, prompting her OB to threaten to call Shonda Rhimes.
• Washington's new Netflix thriller Animals is directed by Ben Affleck and features a powerful mother-protects-child storyline with Steven Yeun.

Main topics

• Scandal and Olivia Pope legacy
• Pregnancy on set and working motherhood

Notable quotes

"Earn me."

Conclusion

The episode offers a candid look at Kerry Washington's evolution from

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) Hi, boo-boo bear. Show her your nails. Maybe she Speaker 2 (0:02) likes your nail polish. I was still working 16-hour days. I was still wearing high heels. My OB at one point was like, I'm calling Shonda. I was Speaker 1 (0:09) unaware that calling Princess Catherine, Princess Kate, was offensive. She told me that she's telling dad that she's asking for a stuffed cat with Speaker 2 (0:18) a wink. Julia has my heart. I think she's killing it. At one point, the director comes up to us and says like, you know what, ladies, we just need to go one more time. Julia looked at the director and she said, we... will go as many times as you want if you take off your coat. Not Speaker 1 (0:32) going to lie, few things hit harder than when you get to girl talk with your three-year-old. Let me set the scene. She gets in the minivan after I pick her up from preschool. And I say, how was your day? She starts trying to tell me about a friend that she met and how she had brown hair on a dress on. And I say, was it a pretty dress? And she said, yes. She restarts the story and says, the girl with brown hair and the pretty red dress. Speaker 1 (1:03) And then we're just gossiping. And by gossiping, I mean telling lovely stories about how that friend was really nice and they played together in the dress-up closet. Speaker 1 (1:13) That's girlhood. Let's get this podcast started. Speaker 1 (1:20) Welcome back to a brand new episode of Not Gonna Lie, a Wave original brought to you by Allstate. I'm your host, Kylie Kelsey. Adamant partaker in Gilmore Girls' fall. which might have just been swapped out for Scandal Fall. I wonder why. Anyway, if I were watching Gilmore Girls, I would think. Speaker 2 (1:45) Is it Jess? Is it Dean? Is it Logan? Who is it? Who is it? It's not Logan. I know that. Speaker 1 (1:50) Fictional hostess of an NFL Sunday watch party where I'm absolutely panicking because everyone's coming over and they want to watch every game. I'm so sorry that you have to keep seeing that. We were watching games yesterday because go Uncle Trev and go Chiefs and my goodness. Speaker 1 (2:11) I'm sorry. Guys, I'm sorry. And most importantly, the mother of a seven-year-old. Oh, no. Speaker 1 (2:22) No. Speaker 1 (2:24) Oh, no. Speaker 1 (2:27) That's right, tomorrow is Wyatt's birthday. Speaker 1 (2:33) It's so rude. It's so, honestly, it's just at this point disrespectful. I don't like it. I'd like it to stop. And it's interesting that she keeps getting older and I'm still 24. Wyatt did pick out her birthday theme. I have a list of things that she has informed me are imperative for her birthday celebration, one of which is a puppet show. Speaker 1 (3:01) So wish me luck. She does want a chocolate cake and then vanilla cake and then with vanilla buttercream, but then with blue ice. I'm unsure. Any big gift she's asking? Surprise, surprise. She's my child for a cat. And she told me that she's telling dad that she's asking for a stuffed cat. With a wink. Coming up on today's episode, my favorite cuddly, sometimes scaly segment is back. It's Adoptable Animals of the Month. Our friends from PSPCA are about to surprise me with three new animals that could be yours. Come on down. After that, somehow this episode will get even better. Speaker 1 (3:52) Because get your big ass bowls of popcorn. Can I get it? Can I get it? Get your big ass bowls of popcorn and an even bigger glass of red wine. Because. It's handled. That's right. We got Olivia Pope herself, aka the icon. How do I get to talk to the incredible people I get to talk to? I'm in places. I have no business being talking to people. I have no business being. It's Kari Washington. Speaker 1 (4:25) Okay. Speaker 1 (4:28) Calm down Kylie. I already spoke to her at my armpits are sweaty Speaker 1 (4:33) Was I nervous? Yes, I'm always nervous talking to the incredible people I get to talk to, but also she's the life. funny and stuff. Speaker 1 (4:43) But first, let's start things off with our real one comment of the week. First up, an entry for the Comment Hall of Fame and a reminder that maybe there's actually no such thing as too much information on this show. Someone commented, oh my gosh, girl, you made my week between my mom in the hospital again and my cheating ass husband. Who thinks sending naked photos to other people? Oh, then his own wife is okay. Tomorrow is going to be a minute of fresh air. Canadian flag, heart hands. Speaker 1 (5:29) I've said it before and I'll say it again. This podcast has really settled into its intended demographic. And we have what some people would consider a fan base or a group of listeners or regulars that really... They get it. They get it. Okay. Speaker 1 (5:52) This woman gets it. We're so happy she's here and we're also so happy to know the details of the messy week that she had. We hope that your mom is feeling better and fuck your husband. Am I right? Okay, just if I had to say it. If you're watching this, Shannon, leave his ass. And lastly, I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume we have some incoming rage bait. Gosh, why you do this? Speaker 2 (6:22) Princess Speaker 1 (6:23) Catherine is too refined and beautiful to be subjected to your cursing. You'll need to clean up your act. First of all, you're correct. What? Speaker 1 (6:39) What? Yes. Agreed. I don't think that anybody owes me anything. Let me emphasize that. I would love to speak to... The Princess of Wales Okay. Because of many reasons, she is an incredible woman. She has children. She played field hockey. She Speaker 1 (7:08) battled cancer. There are so many things that I would love to speak to her about. Speaker 1 (7:16) Do I think she has time to hop on this podcast? No, I do not. I don't think that. Would I curse at her face? No. Here's the thing. I love a curse word. I love it so, Speaker 2 (7:30) so much. I love curse words. You guys know that. Speaker 1 (7:33) But at the end of the day, I am respectful of the situations that I am put in, at least being respectful to the people I am speaking to. I don't go out in public and just... Let the F-bombs fly. Okay? Because I like to be respectful of the individuals around me. If I don't know that you're into that, I'm not going to start chucking curse words at your face. Guys, here's the deal. I love learning. So I was unaware that calling Princess Catherine, Princess Kate was offensive. I didn't know that. Now I know that. Now I will proceed accordingly. I apologize for the mistake. I... would like to refer to people in the most respectful way and how they feel respected. So Princess Catherine it is or the Princess of Wales, I apologize. I will get that sorted immediately starting now. All right, that's it for real one comments of the week. Next up, let's get to scrolling with Doom Scroll of the Week brought to you by BJ's Wholesale Club. First, it's October, which means type A people everywhere have gone all out with perfect Halloween decor. Luckily, we have Nikki Marie holding it down for us. Type Cs show us, show us, show us her porch. Speaker 1 (8:53) Ghost. Yes. A ghost and a mom. Guys, what more could you ask for, really? We have three ghosts. Speaker 1 (9:05) that go in the front lawn some years. Speaker 1 (9:12) Some years there are ghosts. Typically, there's at least one pumpkin on the porch. Speaker 1 (9:21) until those, we call them doofuses in our house, until the doofuses get to them. Those are the squirrels. Squirrels, that's the best snack. And do not come in these comments talking about, oh, do you know how to get the squirrels not to eat your pumpkins? You need to wash them in this and then coat them in. How many times I got to tell you, I'm type C. I am purchasing that pumpkin. I am bringing it home. I am taking it out of the car and carrying it to the front porch. If it makes it to the front porch, we are lucky. Penny does want to be Layla from Teen Beach Movie because she wants to wear red lippic. That's literally the red lippic and high heels. Oh, and a pink jacket. Those were her bullet points. In order, some point she mentioned that Layla wears a bra for a shirt and I was like homie I think not and she said okay tank top Speaker 1 (10:28) So Benny's costume is actually figured out. Speaker 1 (10:33) I just have to order it. Speaker 1 (10:35) So. Speaker 1 (10:38) One down, three to go. Next scroll. I'm not sure I've related to a clip more than this one. I feel it in literally all of my bones. Queen Emma the clip, please. It says, why are moms overstimulated and their child's foot is literally... Oh, God. It's always touching them. Okay. No, no. Speaker 1 (11:04) Last night, just last night, I was in the kitchen trying to make dinner. And no matter where I went in the kitchen, I had a child holding onto my pants. Now. This is overstimulating for a few reasons. First of all, I want to go places in my kitchen while I'm cooking without a resistance shoot on. Okay. I don't need you dragging me in the opposite direction. Also, it kind of tugs your pants down, which. Oh gosh. Gives me the shivers. I, and then to top it all off the, the. The cherry on top, really, is when she tries to squeeze herself between me and the cabinet to push me backwards. Speaker 1 (11:54) and tell me to pick her up. Also, whenever you sit down on the couch and then all of a sudden it's ones on top of you and then the youngest sees that and then they get pissed off because they're like, that's my mom. And then they're on top of you. And then the older ones are like, hey, I was sitting there. And then suddenly you are under three of your four children. Speaker 1 (12:18) Now, I want to preface this with, I would say 75 % of the time, I'm like, hell yeah. Put me at the bottom of my child dog pile. Okay. A thousand percent, 75 % of the time. I, I'm like, get, get over here. Get in here. Hurry up. That 25 % of the time. I need you to stop touching me. For the people who are like, you can hold your can while you're cooking. I do. I do. Speaker 1 (12:50) For those of you who want to come in with snarky comments. Speaker 1 (12:54) My husband tried. Okay. It was not a dad day. It was not a dad day for Finley and Kelsey. So you can take those ideas and shove them right up back in your ass where they came from. That was aggressive. And I'm standing by it. And lastly, football is back and so are perfectly curated game day spreads. I can literally never come close to. It's never going to look like this. Queen Emma, the clip, please. I made these black garlic chicken wings. Of Speaker 2 (13:22) course you did. And these oven Parmesan fries from a kitchen cookbook along with this antipasto pan pizza. What? I mean, look at the crust all the way around. No, I see it. I made these pretzel tots with a chili crisp mustard. And this whipped ricotta with olives, crispy shallots, and almonds. What are you scooping Speaker 1 (13:43) it Speaker 2 (13:43) with? With some toasted bread. Speaker 1 (13:45) Yes. It must feel so good to look at your finished product and have people come and enjoy your food and your spread. I mean, outstanding. It's not going to be me. The good news is, is that... I can still do a spread. It's just probably not going to be oven baked Parmesan. You know what I mean? Speaker 1 (14:11) So the good news is I have the support of many. Nana will help. Jason will help if he's around. The girls will help enthusiastically, but unproductively. The other supportive cast in this situation. is BJ's for same day delivery. And I'm not just saying that. Last weekend, I ran out of paper towels. Speaker 1 (14:38) and I needed more grapes for lunches. The crispiest, crunchiest grapes, let me tell you. And then on top of that, we need snacks. Everybody knows we need snacks. You need sneaky snacks for games. So we got them delivered right to our door. And guess what? I'm going to do it again. Maybe even this afternoon. I might not be doing these homemade wings. But I could get my favorite chicken fingers, which are the Just Bear Lively Breaded Chicken Fingers. They have chicken fingers and chicken bites or chicken nuggets. I don't know what they're called. I can't give you everything. And when all else fails, Uncrustables. Guys, if it's good enough for the football players you're watching, it's good enough for you. Also, you have to eat the Uncrustables when they're not fully thawed. Speaker 1 (15:28) There's something so good about when the bread is thawed, but the peanut butter is still a little bit firm. That's the best time to eat on Crestwell. You know how you warm it up to that? You're not expecting me to say this. Put it under your leg. Speaker 2 (15:43) Yeah, Speaker 1 (15:44) you're welcome. And guess what? You got two legs. Just a thought. All right. That's it for Doom Scroll of the Week brought to you by BJ's Wholesale Club. Join today with a special one-year membership offer at just $10. Learn more at bjs.com slash Kylie Kelsey. Now it's time. Speaker 2 (16:01) We made it, guys. Speaker 1 (16:05) We made it. Let's get to our adoptable animals of the month brought to you by Allstate. If you would like to support the PSPCA, you can do so by either adopting these animals or you can donate at the PSPCA's website. We love to partner with the PSPCA. There are lots of adoptable animals in many different shelters, foster homes. and rescues across the country. Please feel free to look into your local rescue. Find out if there's any adoptable friends there that you might want to bring home. Enough of that though, because that's housekeeping. Speaker 1 (16:47) This is Brownie. He is a great Pyrenees mix. Maybe. Or maybe he's just a great Pyrenees. He does look very great Pyrenees-y. He has big old paws, so you know he's gonna be a big boy. Puppy! Speaker 1 (17:03) Hi, puppies. Speaker 1 (17:07) And don't tell him. Speaker 1 (17:10) Have just two brain Speaker 2 (17:11) cells in Speaker 1 (17:12) there. Speaker 2 (17:13) trying to make us park. He's Speaker 1 (17:15) going to be huge. And so one of the things about Great Pyrenees, much like any other giant breed dogs, is that you should have experience with big dogs. Oh, he could just stay. Foster him. Speaker 1 (17:29) I can't wait until Jason catches on to the idea that when I start fostering animals that none of them leave. It's such a shame when none of them get adopted and when we foster them. Hmm. Weird. God, his freaking eyeballs going the opposite directions is unreal. Speaker 2 (17:48) Look at his speckly nose. He Speaker 1 (17:50) could get some cats. You could guard them. Speaker 1 (17:53) It's right in there. Do you want to be a Kelsey? Speaker 1 (17:57) No, okay, I get that Speaker 1 (18:00) Too much estrogen? Oh, oh my gosh, are you kidding? Look at this pervy. Speaker 1 (18:09) He looks so small in person when his head on here looks huge. He's literally like maybe like three to five months old. He was rescued by the animal law enforcement team. He came in with a bunch of other puppies and, um, but he's the only one who hasn't gotten a home. Only him. Last man standing. Are you kidding me? Guys. Speaker 1 (18:35) Get him. Speaker 1 (18:41) He was like, the fuck? I am not. Do you want to be part of our zoo? Speaker 1 (18:47) I'll let you go now, okay? I love you. Speaker 1 (18:51) And I will forget it. Speaker 1 (18:56) Guys, this is bun bun Speaker 1 (18:59) Look at her. Speaker 1 (19:04) Okay. She was rescued. I feel like I have to take my, we just had a very playful moment and now we're taking it down. We're calming down. Okay. She's colored like a ragdoll cat. Interesting. Speaker 1 (19:21) She does have, she has. Speaker 1 (19:25) ongoing treatment for her. congenital defect affecting her hind leg. That's what this wrap is for. Okay. She has a little... A little wrap. Oh, there it is. Speaker 2 (19:37) A little wrap back here for Speaker 1 (19:39) her foot. Speaker 1 (19:42) Don't worry about that. She's you'd think, wow, does that make her imperfect? No, it does not. She's actually more perfect. Are you fucking kidding me? Oh, no. Speaker 1 (19:56) I think I want a bunny. The girls like bunnies. Speaker 1 (20:01) Should we see if Benny's home? I might have to let my mom come pet her. Is her head resting on my arm? Is that going to make me cry? Oh no. We shouldn't be allowed to do this segment. Speaker 1 (20:14) But like, let's keep doing it. Speaker 2 (20:17) Hi, there's a little animal I just want you to pet Speaker 1 (20:19) real quick. Speaker 1 (20:22) It's not what you think it is, but you can bring Benny if she promises to be quiet. Speaker 2 (20:27) Hi, boo-boo bear. Come feel her. Speaker 1 (20:30) Be gentle. Speaker 1 (20:35) Isn't she so soft? Come feel her. Oh, Speaker 2 (20:39) look at it. Speaker 1 (20:43) Is he even