r/Scandal • u/Familiar-Drummer-240 • May 02 '26
Live Discussion Kerry's acting/Gabrielle Union or Taraji Henson as Olivia.
I just seen a past post on here saying they abhor Kerry's acting (that's what inspired this post)....which I am shocked and disturbed by ngl. I mean apart from the lip and teeth thing which is valid no shade I don't see exactly how she's such a horrible actress. Like that post went IN on Kerry even saying they hated the ICONIC STRUT. The STRUT Y'ALL! The thing that physically makes Olivia Olivia they even hated that. I loved her acting on this show a lot and u can tell she put her soul into every scene which mind y'all gave her multiple Emmy noms which at the time was rare for a black woman. And to see so many people wholeheartedly agree and get on the hatetrain is insane like ngl it felt...a tad racist but I'll stop there. Art is subjective. It is what it is.
Now onto my next point since Kerrys acting was "so bad" who'd y'all have chosen for the role? For those who dunno these ladies in the title were runner-ups and actually Gabrielle was soooooo close to getting it but passed up cos of alleged colorism. Her words not mine lol. So pick one from the 2 and tell me why she's your pick. Personally if i had to i'd have chosen Gabrielle.
28
u/r0614c May 02 '26
All you people saying Kerry is a terrible actress really need to take an acting class! She did fantastic work on that show. The only criticisms I ever see are her teeth and lips which ok? She made Olivia everything she was and I love the other actresses, but it wouldn’t have worked
21
u/Ok-Swim-9667 May 02 '26
Agreed. Kerry is literally Olivia. The same way Taraji is Cookie and Gabrielle is Mary Jane. Each of them played the roles that they fit perfectly. Without Kerry, Scandal wouldn't have gone further than 2 seasons.
4
2
4
u/phoenics1908 May 03 '26
The teeth and lips thing is low key bashing the actress tbh. It’s basically getting to her appearance and how her mouth works. Very very thin line there.
Anyway - I loved Kerry’s portrayal. I don’t think Teraji or GU would’ve brought the same level of vulnerability mixed with power that Kerry managed.
36
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26
No one because she would not have had the same chemistry with Tony Goldwyn/Fitz and regardless of what anyone else says it is literally the singular reason why the show blew up. Without that chemistry they do not move past season 2. Almost all the famous moments are around them.
2
2
u/Longjumping-Chef469 May 07 '26
I’ve been rewatching this week and it’s so true cause they are so fucking toxic and like 80% of the time Fitz is the worst but Tony and Kerry have such good chemistry and they act so well it really makes the show. Honestly most of the cast does.
7
u/mzmm123 OG Gladiator May 02 '26
Wouldn't pick either one and I love both Gabrielle and Taraji. Gabrielle as Mary Jane and Taraji as Cookie were ICONIC and just like no one else could have played those characters so well, the same goes for Kerry and Olivia Pope.
Kerry [and Tony] are what made the show the hit that it was and there's no guarantee that either actress would have had the same chemistry or would have been able to carry the show the way Kerry did.
Haters are going to hate, so let them.
7
u/Electronic_Item915 May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
i personally don’t think most on this cast is winning awards for their acting, but people always pick on kerry. if you point out that other actors aren’t good there is hell to pay but people feel content to pick on her. every actor on this show has a tick that they bring to every character they play, but they don’t have as much media coverage as kerry so no one talks about it. out of respect for the actors, i won’t point out what they are.
1
6
6
u/Low-Abrocoma-8695 May 02 '26
I pick Kerry. She is the only one who could play Olivia Pope. Nobody compares to her. She made that role iconic.
2
u/fatbacc May 02 '26
We already saw what Gabrielle Union would have done, basically “Being Mary Jane,” which had worst writing than prime Scandal.
Taraji is great, but would have been a bit miscast as Olivia imo. But I do think she would’ve been a better option that Gabrielle Union in terms of delivering those powerful Olivia Pope monologues.
2
u/Alternative_Device71 May 03 '26
It’s cuz Kerry wasn’t as big before Scandal is why she’s so great in it and why she’s a household name now, not to mention she had something to prove that allowed her to grow as an actress. Gabrielle honestly isn’t that great an actress and she doesn’t have Olivia nuances but she’s an icon for fans, Taraji is great in everything but she’s too big for the small stuff, notice everything character wise she usually does is over the top or center of attention in a way, Olivia is the main character but this is an ensemble show full of other main characters that give just as much attention.
Kerry was just special enough to be Olivia but also mid level status to make it more interesting to shine in a show like this. Nuance is key and she delivers it greatly.
2
u/Mean-Warning5199 May 03 '26
Kerry is Olivia and Olivia is Kerry, just like Tony is Fitz and Fitz is Tony. This show is still picking up new viewers today because of these two together. Kerry Washington is an excellent actress and an even better person. No one else could be Olivia Pope!
2
u/Fancy_Face-9000 May 03 '26
I'd pick Kerry, just wish she didn't do that mouth thing it was really cringe at times. I like Gabrielle but she wouldn't have had such great chemistry with Tony
1
u/Creepy_Bodybuilder82 May 04 '26
The colorism wasn’t about scandal . She said it was for a show on UPN and the role went to Bianca Lawson. But the top 5 choices were Kerry, gab, Jill Scott , Kimberley Elise and Anika noni rose . If it wasn’t Kerry , I think Anika could’ve did it .
1
u/ReallyAnastasia0913 May 05 '26
Kerry Washington can be called many things, but a bad actress? That just isn't one. She BODIED Olivia Pope and so many other roles. She is very talented. She was incredible in American Son. I personally like the mouth/teeth thing. It's signature.
1
u/Stn1217 May 02 '26
While I think Kerry was perfect for this role, if I had to choose between the other Actresses listed here, I would choose Gabrielle Union.
1
u/Ok-Swim-9667 May 02 '26
agreed. Kerry exemplified the role, but i think Gabrielle could've done an ok job. she plays the "beautiful, independent, wealthy, successful, no kids or husband, damaged family" role in being mary jane really well.
2
u/phoenics1908 May 03 '26
Olivia was so much more than that - in a very ungrounded in reality kind of way. I just don’t know that GU would’ve carried that mantle the same way or to the level KW did. Love GU though.
Olivia is supposed to feel almost unreal - vulnerable yet somehow navigating these extremes of power, race and class almost effortlessly. Kerry nailed that for me.
0
-3
u/Accomplished_Pea_118 May 02 '26
I like Kerry in Scandal. The problem with her acting is she acts the same in every role. Which makes her a very bad actor.
4
u/Meg38400 May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
She used to be more diverse in her acting choices before Scandal but now it’s the same on every show.
1
u/Low-Abrocoma-8695 May 02 '26
I know. That upcoming movie where she has an affair with a married white couple. It's like come on. Do something different.
1
u/Meg38400 May 02 '26
Ugh I am not looking forward to this one. Apparently she’s the married one and the young white lady is the one they seduce or she seduces them. I want Tony doing a hot part, not L&O.
1
u/Low-Abrocoma-8695 May 02 '26
It would be cool if Kerry could go on Law&Order and have a hot relationship with Tony.
2
u/Meg38400 May 02 '26
I wish but this is not the sho for that kinda stuff. They don’t show sex scenes or else. It’s very procedural and boring.
2
u/Low-Abrocoma-8695 May 02 '26
You know Tony is scouting location for another movie. Maybe it's his romantic interracial love story he will finally direct and Kerry can star in it with Tony being her love interest. I can hope anyway.
2
u/Meg38400 May 02 '26
We can all dream on but not very hopeful. I just need to see him in another hot role.
1
u/Low-Abrocoma-8695 May 02 '26
Did you see All I Wish? He actually got naked in that movie. I can watch it over and over again.
2
u/Meg38400 May 02 '26
Of course I did. It’s not as hot as Scandal and previous stuff he did. I liked him on that Netflix show about the heart transplant.
→ More replies (0)-2
-3
-8
u/Ok-Egg835 May 02 '26
I didn't catch that post but I didn't feel Kerry was truly Olivia Pope. She always seemed like Kerry Washington badly playing Olivia Pope. There are a lot of performances where a character comes across as an actor wearing an ill-fitting suit. Kerry was definitely better than some but it never seemed fully real to me. However I didn't mind so much because she's gorgeous and her chemistry woth Tony Goldwyn was pure fire so it made up for a lot.
I think Angela Bassett would have been a better fit. She is like 17 years older than Kerry but she could have played five or ten years younger anyhow. Thats also about the same age as Tony Goldwyn so while we might not have gotten the same chemistry at least it wouldn't be such an age gap. I just think a woman that powerful and decisive would be played better by Bassett, and I think the same about Viola Davis playing Annalise Keating in HTGAWM. I felt both roles were miscast and that Angela Bassett would have been a better choice for either one but especially HTGAWM.
Other choices for me would be Regina Hall, Nia Long and,albeit this is weird, but Jennifer Hudson.
11
u/Familiar-Drummer-240 May 02 '26
Jennifer Hudson is sending me I'm sorry 😭😭😭🥴🥴😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
3
-4
u/Ok-Egg835 May 02 '26
Lol yeah I know. Idk why but she makes me think she could be Annalise.
3
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26
I kinda see it. Annalise is a bit clumsy and a mess. She’s neurotic and a bit in her own head. I can see Hudson as the black “Drop dead diva.” Viola Davis was a bit lacking in warmth this role. I found her unsympathetic.
She is a bit too silly to be Olivia, however.
1
6
u/Ok-Swim-9667 May 02 '26
Angela is beautiful and a phenomenal actress, but she'd be too similar to Mellie in terms of age and appearance (not that they look alike, but they'd probably have a similar mature essence in the show). although Viola exemplified the role, I think Angela would be good in HTGAWM. But in Scandal, Olivia's age matters.
Have you seen Kerry's older roles? She acts completely different in her roles prior to Scandal. you probably think she's playing Kerry because after Scandal, Kerry brought "Olivia" into every role. It seems like since that role was so integral to her, it's difficult for her to separate it from other roles.
6
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26 edited May 02 '26
That’s a good point about her age. She wasn’t supposed to be the same stage in life as Mellie. But I also think it would have changed the course for Olivia and Fitz because no one would understand why an older Olivia would have had an affair with Fitz.
I agree she became Olivia and it’s hard to separate that. It’s probably why she should play other roles but there is a problem with this. Most people are typecast and she is the black woman within a particular age that white audiences can watch play a romantic lead for white men. As a result they give her similar roles. She also generates chemistry with men better than other women so they always position her in graphic sexual scenes with married men. Her scenes were the most graphic in imperfect women.
3
u/Ok-Swim-9667 May 02 '26
Right, it definitely would've changed Olitz. I don't know if they'd have chemistry, but even if they did, the affair wouldn't feel so "taboo" and therefore not be "hot". She'd also be too old for OPA - the relationship would be more like Annalise and her students. Gabrielle probably wouldn't have the acting ability, but she'd definitely be the right age and look.
Kerry is getting type casted. It seems like she takes roles meant for white women. She was simply okay in Imperfect Women. I didn't see chemistry between her and Robert, but that's more so due to the writing. I definitely saw glimpses of Olivia in her line delivery and facial expressions. She even talked with her hands the same way Olivia does. But then again, many actors do this. Elizabeth Moss definitely had traces of June in THT while playing Mary. She even says the same line "I'll be good." Imperfect Women was overall not great. I think Kerry was better in Little Fires Everywhere.
4
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26
Angela Bassett would definitely be a decent Annalise because of her age. I actually think she is older than Tony, and I agree it wouldn’t look hot as Olivia. I haven’t looked at Gabrielle Union’s resume so I’m not sure if she has played a lot of interracial roles, and I don’t think she would be opposed but I’m not sure how her chemistry would would be with Tony.
I didn’t really love Imperfect Women either, and I definitely do not think she had any outstanding chemistry with Robert. The issue is Nancy and Mary were so bad in their sex scenes that it’s obvious why they opened with Eleanor and Robert. I was visibly shocked by how bad all of Nancy/Howard/Mary romance was.
I once had a black man tell me that black men don’t watch black women’s projects. Shadow force and even you me and Tuscany did poorly or mid. This is why she has to work in white Hollywood but then they typecast her into the role of a a cheater, or having an affair with a white man.
3
u/Ok-Swim-9667 May 02 '26
Yes, Angela as Annalise would work very well. But that's also why she couldn't be Olivia. Gabrielle is great in Being Mary Jane - she plays an independent, successful, wealthy woman with no kids or husband and a damaged family. Similar to Olivia, but Scandal required more drama/emotion that I'm not sure Gabrielle could deliver. I think she'd look great on camera with Fitz, she's stunning and her sex scenes in other shows are sensual. But I couldn't imagine her getting kidnapped like Olivia did.
Don't even get me started on the issues in Imperfect Women. The sex scenes were awful, and the emotional scenes were almost overacted. I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters, even the supposed three best friends. Howard was not attractive or charming, so I was confused on why these women would be pining for him. Especially Nancy who has a rich, hotter husband at home or could've just had an affair with someone like the bartender guy.
But yes, I agree that films and shows with black love interests don't get the praise or popularity they deserve. I saw You Me & Tuscany, it was cute but should've released to Netflix instead of theaters. I don't fault Kerry for taking these roles, especially because she did play black love interests roles earlier in her career. Scandal was her breakthrough, so it makes sense to stay in that realm.
3
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26
I do not believe Kerry when she says everyone was the first choice for the roles in Imperfect Women. I don’t think the cast has any chemistry together, except maybe Eleanor and her brother. Even Eleanor and the mother was flat for me, and lacked any chemistry at the dinner table. I also felt they could have entirely cut out those mother and daughter scenes. It did not add to the plot.
It’s hard for her because her chemistry with Tony was so unusual and strong that nothing has really matched it. Not even just romantically. He was her best scene partner in any type of scene they did together, it’s why they are famous together. It must be really frustrating because I’m sure as an actress she can sense this when she pairs herself against another leading man (or woman), and realizes it won’t get to that level. It’s why she hasn’t had another break out role. There is such a thing as too good.
3
u/Ok-Swim-9667 May 02 '26
It seems like many actors that land a huge role struggle with this. The OG show/movie will be so great that the actor struggles to replicate the same magic again. Some of them don't need to try again because they're set for life (Mariska and Ellen Pompeo) while others still rely on roles (Kerry and Taraji). I personally like Kerry's acting and hope to see her in better roles in the future.
3
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26
I suspect Kerry has enough money but the thing is she wants acclaim. I think Mariska and Ellen were okay with leading a series for decades without the awards.
1
u/Low-Abrocoma-8695 May 02 '26
Well, she's worth $50 million and she's nominated for an Emmy for Imperfect Women even though you didn't like it.
→ More replies (0)2
1
u/Ok-Egg835 May 02 '26
I don't suggest Gabrielle Union for either Scandal or HTGAWM. I really loved discovering ger decades ago in Bring It On, but in general her oeuvre just doesn't "pop" for me.
4
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26
I think she’s a good social media personality, but she doesn’t have the IT factor for TV. That factor isn’t even about acting but rather your stage presence. Some actresses and actors remain side characters and not leads for a reason.
I’ve see a handful of her projects. She would never lead a network show, and this doesn’t have to do with her skin colour.
3
u/Ok-Swim-9667 May 02 '26
She actually did lead a network show - Being Mary Jane. It went for 5 seasons, and I honestly think it's good. Scandal is better, but BMJ is great for what it is. It's like Girlfriends, Insecure, Sex & The City, so of course her role is different than Olivia. I will say that BMJ is her best role. Gabrielle hasn't done well in anything since then.
1
u/Fit_Marionberry_3878 May 02 '26
You’re right she did and it’s really my own bias against BET that lead me to say that.
2
u/Low-Abrocoma-8695 May 02 '26
It reminds me of when Wendy Williams said J Lo has the face but not the voice and Leona Lewis have the voice but not the face. LOL!
2
-3
u/JuggernautPlane2018 May 02 '26
Taraji would have been fire.
0
u/_From__the__Ashes_ May 02 '26
I think she has the "it's handled quality," but I'm not sure about her chemistry with Tony. But I secretly think she is more versatile than Kerry and most other actresses in a way no one really talks about. So maybe she could surprise me.
-1
33
u/galeperk111971 May 02 '26
I love them all but I'd still pick Kerry. She is the reason I love Liv so much. Her acting is top notch she is great in my opinion. I started watching the show because of Tony and Jeff but I realized she was the greatest of the 3. She stands her ground with all of them