Kerry Washington’s parents were "terrified" about her decision to be an actress.
The 37-year-old star may have been nominated for an Emmy award for her role as Olivia Pope in drama series ‘Scandal’, but her mother initially encouraged her to become a lawyer rather than pursue a career in TV and film.
When asked by Stylist magazine if her parents were fearful about her career change, former yoga supply teacher Kerry explained: "Terrified! My mother tried to talk me into doing a million other things. She used to say, ‘Don’t be an actor. Be a lawyer for actors.’
"I think every parent fears their child will be a starving artist – and with good reason because so many people wind up on that path. I’m very grateful they allowed me to pursue my dreams."
Kerry – who has three-month-old daughter Isabelle with husband Nnamdi Asomugha – did admit that she almost gave up on acting, after giving herself just one year to make it into a full time job.
She shared: "I had a really specific plan. I gave myself a year after undergraduate school to see if I could make some money. If it didn’t work out I told myself I would go back to graduate or law school.
"If it didn’t work out, I was willing to do other things for work. I wanted to at least give myself a shot, to invest in my own heart and passions.
"And I’m very lucky I was able to do a movie in that first year [‘Our Song’ in 2000] because I’m not sure I would’ve stuck with it otherwise. I’m very grateful that happened."
Kerry Washington’s parents were ‘terrified’ by acting career
