'I am telling my truth': Kerry Washington reveals she hid her identity from doctors to get an abortion
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kerry Washington has revealed her deep secrets in her latest memoir ‘Thicker than Water.’
The ‘Django Unchained’ star revealed that she went for an abortion after she conceived accidentally in her 20s.
Washington is though not ashamed of her tough decision. The star even hid her identity as she had gained popularity after initial success.
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When did Kerry Washington opt for abortion?
The ‘Little Man’ actress told People that it happened around her 2003 movie ‘She Hate Me.’ In her early 20s, Washington said she couldn’t go ahead with an unplanned pregnancy.
"This story had so much to do with my understanding of myself and the world as my career unfolded," the 46-year-old said.
Washington added, "It's just so important to me that abortion is not a bad word, and that my abortion is not another thing on the list of things that I'm ashamed of."
"We're at a moment where it's really important to be telling the truth about our reproductive choices because some of those choices are being stripped away from us," she continued.
The star further explained that there are certain aspects of her life that she’s keeping to herself and it shouldn’t be misunderstood.
"I'm telling my truth about my life, excavating some of my secrets," Washington continued, adding "I don't want my not telling it to make anybody think there is shame to be had."
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How many children does Kerry Washington have?
Washington, who is married to her longtime partner Nnamdi Asomugha, 42, has three children, including a teenage stepdaughter, another daughter named Isabelle, nine, and son Caleb, six.
Kerry Washington’s memoir ‘Thicker than Water’ hit the book stands on Tuesday, September 26.
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In her memoir, Kerry also shared the moment when her parents revealed she was conceived through a sperm donor as they faced trouble getting pregnant naturally.
“I’ve always had this weird disconnect with my dad, but I thought that was my fault. I thought I wasn’t a kind enough person," stated the 'Fantastic Four’ actress.
Kerry further added, "But the idea that I was not his never occurred to me. It was just, 'Why can’t I be better to him? Why can’t we be closer? What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with us?'"
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Interestingly, this was also the reason why 'Thicker than Water' came into existence. "When I got this information, I was like, 'Oh. I now know my story," said Kerry Washington.
"I didn't know what my story was, but I was playing the supporting character in their story," she added.