On "Scandal," which returns for part two of season 12 tonight, Katie Lowes is a tough, fearless hacker who adores her boss Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington).
In real life? Sure, the two are super-tight. They talk all the time. Lowes turns to Washington for advice. As for what to expect between Olivia and Quinn on the show: her lips are sealed.
"When you have the most incredible boss of all bosses saying, 'Don't tell anybody,' you listen to direction. I do whatever Shonda Rhimes says," says Lowes.
She's proud to be part of a show that deals with abortion (Olivia had one) and Planned Parenthood funding. And Lowes absolutely sees herself as a feminist. "Uh, yeah! Yeah!" she says, bringing up the outrage over the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations this year. "I forget the world I live in isn't the world. Every single person I work for her on the show is a woman. Our number one on the show is a woman. They're both women of color. We were just directed by Regina King last week. We have tons of actors on the show that are older. Everyone is represented."
It's not a big point of discussion or debate on the show. Neither is body image. "It just is what it is," says Lowes. "I'm so fortunate that when I got the job, Shonda said to me, 'If you lose a pound, I'll fire you,' as a joke. She hired us for who we are as people. She didn't want us to shoot the show and come back and not be recognizable. She wants to put things on TV that her daughters can relate to."
Amen.
25PHOTOS
Kerry Washington 2015 Style
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OnlyOnAOL: 'Scandal' star Katie Lowes loves the F word
January 2015
Washington wore a metallic color-blocked magenta and indigo gown by Mary Katrantzou to the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.
Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage
January 2015
The actress arrived at The Daily Front Row's 1st Annual Fashion Awards in LA wearing a geoprint black and white long sleeve top with a heather grey printed mini skirt.
Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
January 2015
To the 26th Annual PGA Awards, Washington donned a Prabal Gurung Pre-Fall 2015 strapless floral embroidered gown.
Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
February 2015
Washington celebrated the launch of Jennifer Meyer xo Jessica Alba in Hollywood, wearing a fun polka dot dress with white pumps.
Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for GILT
February 2015
Washington arrived at the 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards sporting a red lace Zuhair Murad gown.
Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage
February 2015
The actress walked the red carpet at the SNL 40th Anniversary Special wearing a cool oversized white blazer and pumps.
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
February 2015
To the Alfre Woodard's Oscar's Sistahs Soiree, Washington wore a floral color-blocked Sophia Kah ensemble.
Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Elizabeth Taylor White Diamond's Lustre
February 2015
Washington donned a unique black Balenciaga dress with Manolo Blahnik pumps to the 2015 Independent Spirit Awards.
Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
February 2015
The 'Scandal' actress attended the 87th Annual Academy Awards in a cream-colored Miu Miu strapless gown with gorgeous floral embroidery.
Photo by Dan MacMedan/WireImage
March 2015
For the 'Scandal' event at the 32nd Annual PaleyFest, Washington sported a Mary Katrantzou Pre-Fall 2015 sleeveless blouse and an abstract jacquard skirt, adding a pop of color with yellow pumps.
Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
May 2015
Washington wore a patterned Timo Weiland dress and Tamara Mellon shoes. She wore Porter Lyons earrings, Sethi Couture rings and carried a Lee Savage clutch to Scandal's ATAS panel event.
Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
May 2015
Washington wore a stunning pink silk gown by Prada, along with emerald green heels to the 2015 Met Gala.
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
May 2015
Washington wore an alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet jumpsuit with Christian Louboutin pumps, a Movado watch and Lorraine Schwartz earrings to the 2015 ABC NY Upfront Presentation in May.
Photo by Photo Image Press / Barcroft Med via Getty Images)
May 2015
Washington attended The Paley Center for Media's tribute to African-American achievements in television, wearing a cool black perforated frock.
Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage
May 2015
To the Disney Media Distribution International Upfronts, the actress wore an Alexander Lewis dress, Le Silla pumps and EFFY Jewelry earrings.
Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
June 2015
Washington attended the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in June wearing a David Koma strapless top and skirt with EFFY and EF Collection jewels. She carried an Edie Parker clutch.
Photo by Barcroft Media via Getty Images
August 2015
Washington wore a blue baroque print layered dress by Mary Katrantzou to the Disney ABC Television Group's 2015 TCA Summer Press Tour.
Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
September 2015
The actress arrived at the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in a stunning embellished Marc Jacobs dress.
Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
September 2015
The actress attended the Limited Edition Allstate Foundation Purple Purse launch event in New York City, wearing a sparkly black midi dress with sheer material and a sexy deep V.
Photo by Brent N. Clarke/WireImage
September 2015
To SiriusXM's Town Hall with Kerry Washington, the actress went for a casual look, wearing a floral sleeveless top, cuffed boyfriend jeans and T-strap pumps.
Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM
September 2015
Washington attended the 2015 Global Citizen Festival, donning a funky black and white Balenciaga tube dress and Eva Fehren rings.
Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Global Citizen
November 2015
Kerry Washington wore an off-the-shoulder black gown to the ACLU SoCal Hosts 2015 Bill of Rights dinner in Beverly Hills.
Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic
November 2015
Washington attended the 2015 Baby2Baby Gala wearing a gorgeous sheer and floral Giambattista Valli ballgown.
Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
November 2015
To the WWD and Variety Inaugural Stylemakers' Event, the actress sported a black and white striped Saloni crop top and high-waisted skirt with Nicholas Kirkwood Zig Zag pumps.
Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
December 2015
Washington attended the 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala in December, wearing a black strapless feather bustier gown from Marchesa's Spring 2016 collection.
BY DONNA FREYDKIN
She's proud to be part of a show that deals with abortion (Olivia had one) and Planned Parenthood funding. And Lowes absolutely sees herself as a feminist. "Uh, yeah! Yeah!" she says, bringing up the outrage over the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations this year. "I forget the world I live in isn't the world. Every single person I work for her on the show is a woman. Our number one on the show is a woman. They're both women of color. We were just directed by Regina King last week. We have tons of actors on the show that are older. Everyone is represented."
