Kerry Washington says she has been thinking about what she wants out of life without having to “play by other people’s rules.”
The actress, who is expecting her second child with Nnamdi Asomugha, says that she often feels her goals are dictated by others. She now wants to change that while happily expanding her family.
Washington explained to InStyle magazine: “I think that’s where the need for quiet is coming from. You arrive at a certain place of achieving and suddenly you feel like your goals are being dictated by other people.
Right now, as I get ready for this second baby, it’s really about me being in touch with what I want. I didn’t get here because I was trying to be what somebody else wanted me to be… I am not interested in playing by other people’s rules. So for now, I’m leaving myself open to the adventure.”
The 39-year-old Scandal star also feels grateful to series creator Shonda Rhimes for her ongoing advice regarding the birth of her second child. Washington now acknowledges she needs more help than previously thought.
She said: “I’ve really leaned heavily on my boss’s experience. I consider myself busy, but Shonda has about four of five shows, three kids… She says, ‘If you feel like you have just the right amount of help, then you don’t have enough.’
My therapist said this too. You need a lot of support. Not just logistically but emotionally and spiritually.”
The star also revealed that her pregnancy was not “written” into the show, prompting the wardrobe department to get creative.
“There’s nothing high-end for professional women who are pregnant, so for the show, we wind up just buying the same clothes. We will cut out the front of Armani trousers and put in a pregnancy panel. That’s what we do for everything,” she revealed.