Kerry Washington

The gorgeous and talented actress who starred opposite Jamie Foxx in Ray, gives another stellar performance opposite Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland, opening October 6, and proves that she is well on her way to leading lady territory. Flare sat down with the stunner during the Toronto International Film Festival and got her take on film, fame and fashion.

Flare: Are you watching The Last King of Scotland for the first time here at the Toronto International Film Festival?
Kerry Washington: No. My fiancé (David Moscow) isn’t here with me and I promised him we would watch it together. I’ll probably see it at the premiere in LA or in London.

F: Do you get nervous watching yourself on screen?
KW: I freak out! The third time seeing it is okay.

F: What do you look for in a script?
KW: It’s always different. It has a lot to do with where I am in my life at that time. I look for stuff that makes me want to keep reading. If I don’t want to keep reading it, it’s not something that I should be doing.

F: What attracted you to this script? 
KW: I had a vague idea in my head about Idi Amin, but I didn’t know much about him. This film is a very intimate portrait of a very important time in history. It also served as an opportunity for me to visit Africa.

F: What was the most challenging thing about making this film?
KW:The fact that the story was so emotional. It was inspiring and terrifying working with Forest Whitaker because he gets so into his work and his character was very frightening at times.

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Flare.com Asks… Kerry Washington, cont’d

F: What do you hope people take away from this movie?
KW: I hope that people look more closely at our own leadership. I think we need to hold our politicians more accountable.

F: How has success changed your life?
KW: I’ve found myself really pulling in and realizing how important my friends are. I am a little more guarded and reluctant to make new friends.

F: What have been some of your career highlights?
KW: There have been so many. Being in Toronto right now is a highlight. I feel that everything I have worked on has been a highlight – I have been blessed!

F: Is there a particular director you would like to work with?
KW: Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep)

F: Can you tell me about your upcoming projects?
KW: I’m in an independent film called The Dead Girl. It’s a really wonderful ensemble piece starring Giovanni Ribisi, Marcia Gay Harden, Brittany Murphy, James Franco, Mary Steenburgen and Toni Collette.

F: You always look amazing on the red carpet. Who are your favourite designers?
KW: Today I’m wearing Lacroix. I’m all about Lacroix these days! I love Stella McCartney too! I’m not a good shopper, but I have this inner fashionista that has learned to love clothes and appreciate fashion as art. Most of my stuff is organic cotton and vintage.

F: What do you do in your down time?
KW: I try to see my fiancée and my dog.

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