The Democratic National Convention thrilled Scandal fans by featuring Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn as two of the Hollywood hosts for the event. The actors famously portrayed Olivia Pope, a powerful Washington, D.C., fixer, and President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Grant on the hit ABC political drama created by Shonda Rhimes, which aired for seven seasons.
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| Tony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington speak on stage during the final day of the Democratic National Convention. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images |
While their characters had close ties to the White House on-screen, in reality, Washington and Goldwyn have become vocal political activists, advocating for the Democratic Party.
Their participation in the DNC added a layer of excitement for fans of the show, blending their fictional political influence with real-life activism.
On the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, Tony Goldwyn took center stage, while Kerry Washington prepared to host the final evening, when Vice President Kamala Harris would formally accept the Democratic nomination for the 2024 presidential race.
Although a Scandal reunion wasn't initially planned, the two stars delighted fans on Wednesday, the third night of the DNC, by meeting up at Chicago's United Center.
Sharing photos of their reunion on Instagram Stories and X, Washington playfully captioned their moments together, sparking excitement among their fans.
When Washington took the stage on Thursday, she powerfully invoked her iconic character, Olivia Pope, to rally voters: “As I stand here, I know there are folks on social media already saying, ‘Go back to your TV show. Shut up and act.’ I am not here tonight as an actor. I am here as a mother, as a daughter, as a proud union member... I am here tonight because I am an American and because I am a voter, and because we the people are stronger when all of our voices are heard.”
Washington reminded the audience that they were the true heroes in the story, saying, “You are the messengers. You are the fixers. Dare I say it, you are the Olivia Pope. You are the superhero saving this Democracy.”
In a memorable moment, Washington brought Goldwyn onto the stage, led the crowd in a chant, and shared the moment on social media. She also invited Harris' great-nieces, Amara and Leela Ajagu, to teach the audience how to correctly pronounce Harris' first name, drawing applause and enthusiastic participation from the crowd.
Mindy Kaling and Ana Navarro joined Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn as hosts during the four-day Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Each took the stage on their respective nights to deliver opening remarks and make appearances throughout the evening, engaging with the audience and setting the tone for the event.
Greg Propper, who has long been an advisor to stars like Washington, played a significant role in managing Hollywood's support for Harris' campaign. According to Propper, after President Biden announced he would be stepping down from the ticket, the entertainment and creative communities were energized by Harris' candidacy.
However, Propper emphasized that the campaign would focus on the people, not celebrities. "The vice president wants to make sure it includes everybody," he told Morfeli Reporter.
Washington, who has been working with Propper since 2018, has been actively involved in political advocacy, including hosting a night of the 2020 DNC. She has consistently highlighted the importance of empowering people within democracy, stating that her efforts are about building a future where everyone understands their voice and power.
During the convention, Washington shared her experiences and interactions on social media, including a notable post with Oprah Winfrey and filmmaker Ava DuVernay.
In her post, she referenced Michelle Obama's previous remarks about Kamala Harris, playfully noting the anticipation for Harris to take her "Black Job" in the face of opposition from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.