Unveiling The Secret: Was Kerry Washington Pregnant During *Scandal*? The Truth Behind Olivia Pope's Wardrobe

For seven thrilling seasons, ABC's *Scandal* captivated audiences worldwide with its high-stakes political drama, intricate plot twists, and the magnetic presence of its lead star, Kerry Washington, as the formidable crisis manager, Olivia Pope. Pope became an iconic figure, known for her sharp wit, unwavering resolve, and impeccable sense of style – particularly her signature trench coats and elegant ensembles. But as the series progressed, a persistent question began to circulate among eagle-eyed fans and pop culture enthusiasts: Was Kerry Washington pregnant during *Scandal*?

The answer, unequivocally, is yes. Not just once, but twice. And the ingenious ways the show's creators, led by Shonda Rhimes, managed to conceal these pregnancies from the narrative became a legendary feat of television production, sparking what fans affectionately dubbed "Bump Gate." This article dives deep into the fascinating story of how *Scandal* navigated Kerry Washington's real-life pregnancies while keeping Olivia Pope's storyline firmly on track, baby-free.

The Unspoken Truth: Kerry Washington's Pregnancies During Scandal's Run

Kerry Washington is famously private about her personal life, a trait she shares with many celebrities but perhaps even more so. Despite her efforts to keep her personal life very private, the natural progression of life meant that she became pregnant during the filming of *Scandal*. Her first pregnancy occurred during the show's third season, which aired from 2013 to 2014. During this period, she was pregnant with her daughter, Isabelle Amarachi Asomugha, born in April 2014, with her NFL player husband, Nnamdi Asomugha.

Years later, as *Scandal* approached its final seasons, Washington found herself expecting again. She revealed how she hid her pregnancy while filming the sixth season of *Scandal*. This meant the show's production team had to pull out all the stops not once, but twice, to ensure Olivia Pope's character remained consistent with the established narrative, which did not include a pregnancy.

Olivia Pope: Not Expecting, But Her Actress Was!

One of the most crucial aspects of this entire situation was the creative decision made by Shonda Rhimes and the *Scandal* writing team: Olivia Pope would not be pregnant. This choice put showrunners in a very interesting position. After Kerry Washington announced her first pregnancy, *Scandal* fans waited with bated breath to find out what it would mean for Olivia Pope. Would she be pregnant with Fitz’s (Tony Goldwyn) baby? The answer, as it turned out, was a resounding no.

Since *Scandal* opted not to write in Kerry Washington's pregnancy, Shonda Rhimes & Co. had to come up with interesting ways to handle "Bump Gate." The challenge was significant: Kerry Washington was eight months (almost nine) pregnant at certain points, and it showed. While it's not a problem in real life, her pregnancy could have been a major distraction on her show *Scandal*, where her character was not expecting a baby. This commitment to the character's storyline, despite the actress's real-life changes, is a testament to the show's dedication to its narrative integrity.

The Art of Concealment: How Scandal Hid the Bump

The methods employed by the *Scandal* crew to conceal Kerry Washington's growing baby bump became legendary among television production circles. Every single way *Scandal* tried (and sometimes failed) to hide Kerry Washington's pregnancy became a subject of fascination. With Olivia Pope not pregnant, the show had to be incredibly creative in covering up Kerry's changing physique. Kerry Washington herself opened up about how she hid her baby bump while filming for her hit TV series "Scandal" in an interview with "Good Morning America" anchor Michael Strahan.

Strategic Wardrobe Choices

One of the most effective and frequently used methods was through Olivia Pope's iconic wardrobe. The show's costume designers became masters of disguise, utilizing specific clothing choices to obscure Washington's belly:

Long Designer Coats: Olivia Pope was already known for her stylish, often voluminous coats. These became even more prominent during Washington's pregnancies, providing ample coverage.
Flowy Fabrics and A-line Silhouettes: Dresses and tops with looser fits, empire waists, and A-line cuts were strategically chosen to drape over her bump without drawing attention.
Oversized Bags and Props: Large handbags, folders, and other props were often placed in front of Washington's midsection during scenes.

Masterful Camera Work and Blocking

Beyond clothing, the camera crew and directors employed highly creative techniques to avoid showing Washington's bump. This involved a meticulous approach to every shot and scene:

Strategic Angles: Directors would often shoot Washington from the chest up, or use angles that minimized the visibility of her torso.
Well-Placed Objects: Furniture, lamps, plants, and even other actors were strategically positioned to block the view of her midsection. As one source noted, "Whether it was a long designer coat or a well-placed lamp, Shonda Rhimes’ team worked hard to conceal their lead actress’ pregnancy instead of writing it into her character’s."
Limited Movement: Scenes might involve Olivia Pope sitting behind a desk, standing behind a counter, or remaining relatively still, reducing the chances of her bump being revealed during movement.
Tight Shots: Close-ups on Washington's face or upper body became more frequent, shifting focus away from her midsection.

Kerry Washington's Own Efforts and Challenges

Kerry Washington herself played a significant role in the concealment efforts. She revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that her most challenging scenes ever on *Scandal* were shot during her pregnancies. She had to be acutely aware of her body and how it appeared on camera, constantly adjusting her posture and movements to maintain the illusion that Olivia Pope was not expecting.

During ABC's *Scandal* panel for the Television Critics Association's Winter press tour, the actress described how these major life moments influenced her work as Olivia Pope, even as she worked to hide them. The dedication required to perform emotionally intense scenes while physically concealing a pregnancy speaks volumes about her professionalism and commitment to her craft.

Fan Reactions and "Bump Gate" Speculation

Despite the show's best efforts, dedicated fans with keen eyes did begin to notice subtle changes. By the time Kerry Washington was "eight months (almost nine) pregnant," it was hard to completely hide. This led to widespread speculation and the coining of the term "Bump Gate" among the *Scandal* fan community. Fans eagerly discussed whether Olivia Pope would suddenly find herself pregnant, and what that would mean for her complex relationships, particularly with Fitz. The anticipation was palpable, as fans waited with bated breath to find out what it would mean for Olivia Pope.

Ultimately, the show's commitment to keeping Olivia Pope child-free, despite the real-life circumstances, became a running gag and a testament to the crew's ingenuity. But you would never know she's pregnant on her hit ABC show "Scandal." Washington, who was shooting the show's next season, explained how she and the rest of the team managed this impressive feat. While Kerry Washington was quickly approaching her due date, her *Scandal* character, Olivia Pope, was not expecting a baby, and the showrunners did a pretty good job of maintaining that illusion.

The Legacy of a Hidden Pregnancy

The story of Kerry Washington's pregnancies during *Scandal* has become an integral part of the show's lore. It highlights the incredible demands of television production and the creative solutions that often arise from unexpected challenges. The fact that the team managed to conceal her pregnancies so effectively, allowing the narrative to flow uninterrupted, is a remarkable achievement.

This situation also offered a glimpse into the life of a private actress navigating the public eye. Kerry Washington's ability to maintain a sense of normalcy in her personal life while delivering a powerful performance as Olivia Pope, all while literally hiding a baby bump, solidified her status as a consummate professional in Hollywood.

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In summary, yes, Kerry Washington was indeed pregnant during *Scandal*, specifically during Season 3 and Season 6. However, her character, Olivia Pope, was never written as pregnant. To maintain this narrative distinction, the *Scandal* production team, under the guidance of Shonda Rhimes, employed a masterful array of concealment techniques. These included strategic wardrobe choices like long designer coats and flowy fabrics, expert camera work utilizing specific angles and well-placed objects like lamps, and Kerry Washington's own dedicated efforts to adjust her performance. This incredible feat of television production not only kept the show's storyline consistent but also became a legendary example of creative problem-solving in Hollywood, much to the fascination and appreciation of *Scandal* fans worldwide.