Kerry Washington on Adweek cover photo: ‘I was taken aback’

"Scandal" star Kerry Washington says she was "taken aback" when she saw her cover photo for the latest issue of Adweek because, well, that's not what she sees in the mirror.

On Instagram, Washington commented on the cover for Adweek's April 4 issue, saying that while she loves the publication and is proud of the article, she was wary of the cover photo itself.

“It felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror. It's an unfortunate feeling,” Washington wrote on her Instagram page.

So...You know me. I'm not one to be quiet about a magazine cover. I always celebrate it when a respected publication invites me to grace their pages. It's an honor. And a privilege. And ADWEEK is no exception. I love ADWEEK. It's a publication I appreciate. And learn from. I've long followed them on Twitter. And when they invited me to do a cover, I was excited and thrilled. And the truth is, I'm still excited. I'm proud of the article. And I like some of the inside images a great deal. But, I have to be honest...I was taken aback by the cover. Look, I'm no stranger to Photoshopping. It happens a lot. In a way, we have become a society of picture adjusters - who doesn't love a filter?!? And I don't always take these adjustments to task but I have had the opportunity to address the impact of my altered image in the past and I think it's a valuable conversation. Yesterday, however, I just felt weary. It felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror. It's an unfortunate feeling. That being said. You all have been very kind and supportive. Also, as I've said, I'm very proud of the article. There are a few things we discussed in the interview that were left out. Things that are important to me (like: the importance of strong professional support and my awesome professional team) and I've been thinking about how to discuss those things with anyone who is interested, in an alternate forum. But until then...Grab this week's ADWEEK. Read it. I hope you enjoy it. And thank you for being patient with me while I figured out how to post this in a way that felt both celebratory and honest. XOXOXOX

A photo posted by Kerry Washington (@kerrywashington) on Apr 5, 2016 at 2:46pm PDT

This isn’t Washington’s first run-in with borderline Photoshop work. Her Lucky magazine cover for December/January 2014 bore little resemblance to the actress herself, and after a 2015 InStyle cover the magazine was accused of lightening Washington’s skin tone.

What's different with the cover of AdWeek appears to be Washington’s own need to speak out on the matter, something that she seemed to struggle with, saying on her post, “Thank you for being patient with me while I figured out how to post this in a way that felt both celebratory and honest.”

As for AdWeek, it had only kind things to say about Washington, with editorial director James Cooper stating, “Kerry Washington is a class act. We are honored to have her grace our pages. To clarify, we made minimal adjustments, solely for the cover's design needs. We meant no disrespect, quite the opposite. We are glad she is enthusiastic about the piece and appreciate her honest comments."

Cooper later tweeted that it was only Washington’s hair that was adjusted for the cover.

Regardless, it’s reassuring to know that it’s not just common folk who feel a disconnect from what they see in the mirror every day and what manifests itself on film.

Washington stars as Olivia Pope, D.C. fixer, on ABC’s “Scandal,” next airing Thursday at 9 p.m., and is playing Anita Hill in HBO’s upcoming television movie “Confirmation” based on the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Judge Clarence Thomas (who'll be played by Wendell Pierce).

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