Scandal star Kerry Washington is on the cover of Vanity Fair's August 2013 issue and in her cover story she revealed what she loves most about her character: Washington, D.C., fixer Olivia Pope.

The 36-year-old told the magazine's contributing editor David Kamp that "one of the most profound things for me about the show is the number of white women of all ages who come up to me and say, 'I want to be Olivia Pope.'"

"It's especially profound in a place like South Africa," she continued. "It's called The Fixer over there, and it just started its second season. The fact that white women can see this woman of color as an aspirational character is revolutionary, I think, in the medium of television. I don't think white women would feel that way about Olivia if her identity as a woman, period, wasn't first in their mind."

Washington noted the femininity of her character being a fixer, helps others navigate their life in a sense. The role has the actress feeling "very maternal" in a way but also there is something "very executive" about Olivia. Washington clarified that to mean " 'executive' in a presidential way."

"What I think is cool about Olivia is that she fully owns being a woman," Washington added. "There's a very nurturing sense of 'I'm going to take care of you-don't worry about it. I'm gonna be your mom in this situation. You come stay in my office, have a cup of tea, and let my gladiators take care of you.' "

Scandal is currently on a summer hiatus but airs regularly Thursday nights on ABC. Season 3 of the drama begins in the fall. In the May finale of season 2 the public finds out that Olivia was the president's mistress, she finds out that Rowan is her father and also that Fitz killed Verna.

Tags
Kerry Washington, Scandal