Kerry Washington had "serious hustle going on" before she made it as an actress.
The 37-year-old star studied for a degree in anthropology and sociology before pursuing a career in acting and she's revealed that during the year she gave herself to try and secure her first role, she was working a number of jobs.
When asked whether it was true that she was teaching yoga at the time, she confessed: "I was, yes. I lived in India right after college and got certified to teach. I was also a supply teacher for New York City public schools. I loved it.
"I had to limit myself to teaching no more than three days in a row at the same school so I wouldn't be seduced.
"Oh, and I was working in a restaurant. I had serious hustle going on."
The 'Scandal' actress - who admits her parents wanted her to become a lawyer because they were "terrified" of her being a failed actor - claims she learnt a lot from her mother and father when she was growing up.
Quizzed on how her parents influenced her, she told Stylist magazine: "They influenced me immensely. I've learned very different things from each of them. My mother is more of a quiet soul but she walks in the world with a great deal of grace, intelligence, refinement and dignity.
"I've tried to embody those things in the best way I can. My dad is much more gregarious. He is one of the most generous spirits I've ever met and he truly is interested in the people and the world around him."

Kesha has "let colour back into" her life again.
The 27-year-old singer - who is currently sporting blue hair - wants to dye her luscious locks different colours to represent her new positive outlook.
Speaking on 'Good Morning America' yesterday (24.07.14), she said: "I'm having my hair be a rainbow, right now. I'm going through all the colours of the rainbow because I feel like I'm a rainbow.
"This is my new thing, I'm a rainbow. Before I used to dress a lot in black and now I've let colour into my life. It's very metaphorical."
The 'Timber' hitmaker spent two months in rehab being treated for an eating disorder in January, and she admits since completing her stint she's made vast improvements, both mentally and physically.
She explained: "I'm doing really well ... I've been overwhelmed. The amount of love and support I've received is insane. It was really touching."
The stunning star insists her biggest accomplishment so far was learning to deal with the negative comments, which had once knocked her body confidence.
Asked what the most difficult part of her journey was, she said: "Just really learning to block out negativity and not letting hateful messages get to me, because I've received some pretty hateful things."

Chris Pratt's wife is trying to "fatten" him up.
The 35-year-old hunk dropped more than 60lbs in just six months for his role in 'Guardians of the Galaxy' but now that filming has wrapped up, he admits his spouse Anna Faris is planning to help him pile on the pounds.
Speaking at the film's European premiere held at Empire Cinema, in Leicester Square, London, last night (24.07.14), he exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I'm destined to put on some of the weight again because no one can live beer-free for ever! And my wife's going to fatten me up - if I get fat, blame her!"
Chris - who lost the weight with a combination of bodybuilding and conditioning workouts - rushed to his local restaurant once production had finished as he couldn't wait to scoff down his first carb-heavy meal.
He told E! News earlier this week: "I had pancakes at my local diner, The Griddle Café. I was with my wife and I'd been craving them for a really long time. It was like a victory lap for me."
Chris and Anna, who got married in 2009, made a long list of calorific treats they wanted to eat once the actor was allowed to come off his strict diet.
He explained: "It was a long list and it took about eight months to make ... every fast food chain you could think of is on there."

Khloé Kardashian thinks French Montana is a "softie".
The 30-year-old star - who filed for divorce from ex-husband Lamar Odom in December - has been dating the 29-year-old rapper since April and admits there's a private side to him that people haven't seen before.
Speaking on Angie Martinez's Power 105 radio show yesterday (24.07.14), she gushed: "He's probably one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life. You cannot stop laughing [around him]. Like, crying laughing. I think he's a little bit of [everything], but I think people definitely don't get to see the great parts of him.
"He puts out more of the tough exterior, that's who he is. But there's also a different side of him. He could be a softie sometimes. [But] I've learned from my past that you've gotta keep some things more private and a little more close to your heart."
The couple were first introduced to each other through mutual friend Diddy - whose real name is Sean Combs - after spending some time in the studio and they have flaunted their romance on social media sites ever since.
However, the 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' star - who split from Lamar last year after he allegedly cheated on her - insists she doesn't care what people think of her and French's new relationship.
She said: "People are gonna comment no matter what. If I dated the most clean-cut, perfect guy they're gonna comment. So if I'm having fun and dating this kid...they're not f**king him, so why should they care?"

Jennifer Lopez' ex-boyfriend sent her a cute birthday message on Twitter yesterday (24.07.14).
Casper Smart, who split from the singer a few months ago, referred to the 'On the Floor' hitmaker as a "beautiful little bear" as he wished her a happy 45th birthday on the social networking site.
The choreographer posted a picture of a pink bear cake, which he had given Jennifer for her 43rd birthday two years ago, and accompanied it with the caption: "Happppppppy Birthday to the most Beautiful lil bear in the world!!!! May all your wishes come true!! @JLo (sic)."
Jennifer is yet to respond to Casper's heartfelt comment but is reportedly planning to spend her special day celebrating her milestone with her friends and family.
A source told the MailOnline: "She's having a small, private party with friends and family."
Meanwhile, the stunning star believes she has got "smarter" about the choices she makes in her personal life since ending her two-year relationship with Casper.
Following the break-up, Jennifer was romantically linked to 'Dancing with the Stars' professional Maksim Chmerkovskiy, but he insists their relationship is nothing more than close friends.
The sexy superstar is now focusing all of her attention on her six-year-old twins Max and Emme - whose father is her third husband Marc Anthony - as she wants to give them the best possible life.
She said previously: "I want to give them the best life. You want them to have everything, you want them to grow up and have everything better than you had it."

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are reportedly planning to get married "by the ocean".
The couple, who began dating in 2011 and got engaged a year later, are keen to tie the knot in a private beach ceremony abroad in the near future.
Wedding planner Kevin Lee, who organised Jennifer's first wedding to Brad Pitt in 2000, told RadarOnline.com: "Jennifer and Justin are getting married right by the ocean, so it will be a beach meets California modern-chic sort of thing. She is going to have it [the wedding] out of the country [US]."
Meanwhile, it is believed the pair will get hitched on Justin's birthday on August 10 - two years to the day he proposed on his 41st birthday - following "months of therapy" after their relationship reportedly hit the rocks.
A source said previously: "After talking honestly, their issues seemed to evaporate. Justin admitted he hated the idea of an over-the-top wedding. Jen's happily agreed to a low-key do with friends and family. Jen's thrilled and Justin couldn't be happier."
Justin proved his romance with Jennifer, 45, was very much on track last month after he admitted he couldn't imagine life without his fiancée, and even hopes they'll still be together after they die.
Asked if he'd be upset about leaving the actress behind if he were to die suddenly, he said: "That's who I'd want to bring back. That's who I'd want to bring with me."

Dave Bautista thinks Chris Pratt should become a wrestler.
The 'Guardians of the Galaxy' actor - who is a six-time world wrestling champion - believes his co-star should take up the sport professionally as he has a passion for it and has the right attitude to succeed.
When asked which co-star would make the best wrestler, he exclusively told BANG Showbiz at the European premiere for the movie held in Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, London, tonight (24.07.14): "I think that's easily Chris Pratt. He's a wrestling fan and he's a former amateur wrestler and I think he's just got that personality. He actually said he wanted to go and introduce himself to the WWE but there wasn't an opportunity for us leading up to this [press tour]. But I know he wanted to be part of the WWE."
Meanwhile, the 45-year-old star - who plays Drax the Destroyer in the superhero film - picked up some tips on how to juggle his busy movie career with wrestling from retired professional Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who starred in his first film 'The Scorpion King' in 2002.
He explained: "I didn't really have contact with him when I left WWE [in 2010] and moved into films. But I was able to speak to him at this past WrestleMania [event in April] when we already wrapped up 'Guardians', and he was actually pretty helpful with some advice he had.
"I was asking how he balances both, because he still wrestles and does films, and it's a tricky thing to do. Especially with the Marvel universe and the WWE universe - it's just so big. He was very helpful on how to balance the both of them and make it work."

Christina Applegate has become a "dance mom".
The 42-year-old actress finds herself accidentally criticising her three-year-old daughter Sadie Grace when she watches her perform her ballet routine.
She told PEOPLE.com: "Sometimes I'll find myself watching her in class, and I'm like, 'Oh my God, you're so being a dance mom. I'm sitting [there] in my head going, 'Why isn't she pointing her foot that way? Someone needs to go in there and fix her foot!' "
The 'Anchorman' star - who no longer dances herself due to injuries - has always had a passion for the sport and always knew her daughter would take up ballet.
She explained: "It was my secret thing I did that nobody knew I did. I could go to classes and not have anyone bother me. And I did it for years up until I got pregnant with my daughter. I now have to live vicariously through my daughter. I watch her and help her speak through her body -- channel her emotions and her joy through her body. [I help her] get grounded, get all that stuff out."
However, the blonde beauty admits she sometimes takes her passion too far.
She added: "I was stretching her [Sadie's] point today. I was like, 'Let me stretch your point a little bit, Sades. Not for any particular reason -- just giving you a little massage.' I tricked her!"

Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi had a 'Great Gatsby'- themed bridal shower last Sunday (20.07.14).
The former 'Jersey Shore' star celebrated her upcoming wedding with 100 family and friends at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, New York, at the weekend.
The brunette beauty wore a white frock, which she had accessorised with a huge flower headband, while her 18 bridesmaids also went for vintage-style dresses and jewellery to match the party decorations.
Snooki documented her special day on her Twitter account, where she shared a picture of her 'bride to be' name plate and an adorable snap shot of her cuddling her two-year-old son Lorenzo.
The 26-year-old stunner was showered with gifts at the party, but her guests didn't leave empty handed as they all received goody bags, according to Us Magazine.
Snooki got engaged to her beau Jionni LaValle in 2012 and is due to tie the knot later this year after the birth of their second child - believed to be a girl - in September.
The couple are planning to have a 'Great Gatsby'-themed wedding and, although she's still got so much to do in time for her big day, she insists she hasn't had any "diva moments" yet.
Snooki said previously on her blog: "I am SO excited for my fall wedding, and thank god the planning has not given me a headache yet. I'm happy to say i have not had any bride/diva moments yet! I don't want to be that kind of bride. I want a fun and loving bride, with no stress. I'll let you know how that goes after the bridesmaids dresses. (sic)".

Melissa McCarthy is reportedly refusing to attend her cousin Jenny's wedding.
The 'Tammy' star - who is reportedly feuding with the blonde beauty - doesn't want to witness the television host, 41, tie the knot with her fiancé Donnie Wahlberg.
A source told the National Enquirer newspaper: "The cousins were close at one time, but they've grown distant over the past few years."
The cousins fell out after Melissa, 43, allegedly ditched the former Playboy model after her career took off and she sprung into the limelight.
The source explained: "Jenny feels she helped Melissa get a leg up in the business. But now that Melissa's career is skyrocketing, Jenny feels [Melissa] doesn't have time for her."
Meanwhile, Jenny recently revealed she and Donnie, who proposed to her in April, will by tying the knot "very soon" and she's now in a rush to find the perfect gown in time for her big day.
However, 'The View' host - who has 12-year-old son Evan from her marriage to John Mallory Asher - has already ruled out a frock that will enhance her bust.
She explained: "I don't want to be too busty in my wedding dress. I think when brides are too busty it takes away from the beauty of the bride. It will be form fitting, but not too over done."

Alec Baldwin would "rather pay a fine" than apologise for allegedly bad-mouthing police officers in May.
The 56-year-old actor appeared in a Manhattan court today (24.07.14) in relation to a disorderly conduct charge after he cursed at officers who stopped him for riding his bicycle down the wrong way on Fifth Avenue.
Judge John Delury told the star: "Looks like you have a short fuse. You want to wait this out? Do you want to apologise?"
Alec shot back: "I'd rather pay the fine."
The judge questioned his response: "Th​an apologise?"
Alec, who was dressed in a black shirt, blue blazer and grey suit trousers, shook his head and said: "I just want to pay the fine."
Judge Delury then asked the 'It's Complicated' star if he can stay out of trouble from now on.
Alec replied: "Sure, sure"
The judge then said he'd dismiss the charge if Alec can stay out of trouble for six months, according to the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column.
The hunk was given two summons, one for traffic violation and a second for disorderly conduct, on May 13, 2014, after he allegedly went "ballistic" at two female officers when they asked him to provide identification following his push bike incident.
The star - who has 10-month-old daughter Carmen and 18-year-old daughter Ireland - took to his Twitter account after his arrest two months ago to share his version of events.
He tweeted at the time: "Officer Moreno arrested me and handcuffed me for going the wrong way on Fifth Ave."

Portia de Rossi reportedly wants to have a baby.
The 41-year-old actress had initially ruled out having children with her wife Ellen DeGeneres, 56, whom she married in 2008, but it seems she's now changed her mind and is keen to start a family with her beau.
A source told InTouch magazine: "All Portia can talk about is beginning a new chapter in their lives and starting a family."
The couple have allegedly consulted the Center for Surrogate Parenting in Encino, California, to discuss their options, according to the magazine.
Meanwhile, the duo's relationship allegedly hit the rocks recently after an argument reportedly led to Portia seeking treatment in rehab in May for drug and alcohol problems, but they're keen to work through their issues.
A source said previously: "They've worked out difficulties in the past, and no doubt they're trying to work out any problems right now."
However, friends of the pair believe they will have patched up their differences by next month and will celebrate six years of marriage by renewing their vows.
The source said: "They both love to celebrate special occasions and holidays, and their wedding anniversary is no different. They usually celebrate with a big party and invite a lot of friends. They really are a lovely couple. They enjoy being married, and it shows."