Kerry Washington is currently featured on a blazing hot cover of Essence in a gold ensemble shot with captivating photography.
The November cover features Washington in a gorgeous Rafael Cennamo Couture dress.
Washington graces the latest issue of the black women’s style bible to coincide with her many fascinating life changes — including her recent marriage — and her continuing ascendance in the Hollywood hierarchy. Both achievements make her a modern icon for African-American women.
“All eyes are on Kerry Washington! Our ESSENCE audience has always had a strong connection to Kerry whenever we’ve featured her on our cover before,” Vanessa Bush, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine stated in an email to theGrio. “Now, with her new marriage and the red hot success of Scandal, we knew it was the perfect time to put the spotlight on Hollywood’s ‘it girl.’ Kerry is absolutely owning this moment. ESSENCE is excited for her and will continue to follow her every step of the way.”
The storied magazine is not the only glossy granting Washington much-deserved attention.
“The 36-year-old star has graced a string of major magazine covers in recent months — Elle, Vanity Fair and Glamour, to name a few — but we’ve got to say this is our favorite,” opines Julee Wilson of The Huffington Post about the June Ambrose-styled image.
In the November Essence issue, Washington details how her style — however fabulous — is far different from that of the character of Olivia Pope on Scandal.
“Olivia has three [fashion] modes: Work Olivia, Black-Tie Gala Olivia and At Home Olivia,” Kerry told the magazine. “My fashion is more eclectic: There’s Going to Work Kerry, which is gym clothes and Nike kicks. That’s the Bronx girl. There’s also Red Carpet Kerry and Out to Dinner With Friends Kerry.”
Washington also discusses her relationship with God.
“I believe in surrendering my life over to my Creator,” she said. “I feel as if my relationship with God is the most important thing in my life. If I can get that relationship right, it helps me to understand how to negotiate every other relationship.”
What do you think of Washington’s latest Essence cover?
Follow Alexis Garrett Stodghill on Twitter at @lexisb.