‘Scandal’ star Kerry Washington shared a milestone in her acting career through her verified Instagram account, on January 12.
Washington, who received numerous accolades throughout her career, revealed the role she could not forget because it changed her life; she posted a TBT photo with actors Garland Whitt, Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas, and announced that ‘Save the Last Dance‘ was a great breakout for her, on the 20th anniversary of its release.
Alongside the photo, which is supposed to have been taken more than 20 years ago, Washington wrote:
“OH EM GEE!!!!! Save the Last Dance turns 20 years old today 😱😱😱😱😱! Playing Chenille changed my life. I read that script and I felt like I KNEW her.”
The five-time NAACP Image Award-winning actor stated that portraying ‘Chenille Reynolds,’ who is a teenage single mother having problems with her ex-boyfriend, was an opportunity to break certain stereotypes regarding people of color and teen moms, and expressed her satisfaction with being a part of the film, directed by Thomas Carter. In her own words:
“At the time, I also knew the narrative that was being served in culture about who Black teen moms are. And I knew that if done right, this was an opportunity to transform some stereotyped thinking and make this young woman REAL. And human. And deserving of love and attention.”
She concluded her words by expressing her love for the cast and the crew.
As fans remember, starring Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Fredro Starr, Terry Kinney, Bianca Lawson, and Elizabeth Oas, ‘Save the Last Dance’ was released on January 12, 2001, through MTV Productions. Despite its $13 million budget, it garnered $131.7 million worldwide and is nominated for numerous awards in its release year.
Check Washington’s post out.
