(photo: ESSENCE Magazine, November 2013)

Kerry Washington's magazine takeover continues. Hot on the heels of her Glamour and Flare covers comes her golden cover for Essence's November issue. Celeb stylist June Ambrose, who was also responsible for Jay Z's current Vanity Fair look, dressed the Scandal star in a gorgeous gold Rafael Cennamo Couture dress with matching fingernails. For her cover story, Washington talks about the popular series and the differences between her and her stylish character Olivia Pope.
"Olivia has three [fashion] modes: Work Olivia, Black-Tie Gala Olivia and At Home Olivia... My fashion is more eclectic: There's Going to Work Kerry, which is gym clothes and Nike kicks. That's the Bronx girl. There's also Red Carpet Kerry and Out to Dinner With Friends Kerry."
When asked what a girls' night out would be for Olivia, Washington says "it would involve a lot of wine." For herself, she says, "I drink maybe twice a year. I would be with my three best friends from high school or my girlfriends from the show."
The 36-year-old actress also opens up about her take on spirituality and why she needs to keep her professional life separate from her personal one. Essence's November issue hits newsstands on October 10.
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