Star actress is laid back on cover of Elle USA's April issue

Kerry Washington has risen to international appeal through five season on This time, she’s pushing what many deem her most political work yet, Confirmation, the HBO film she stars in, as Anita Hill, as well as executive produces.

In the April Issue, the wife and mother also talks about why it’s necessary for her to create work of her own rather than wait on some producer or director to cast her in a project, in addition to why the Anita Hill story is still relevant today.

On the cover, the leading lady looks laid back yet sultry in a cotton sweatshirt from Shinola; diamond, onyx, and white gold earrings and an emerald, onyx, diamond, and white gold bracelet from Cartier; gold bracelets and a diamond and white gold bracelet; and her own ring. Styled by Samira Nasr.

In another picture, she stuns in an embroidered-silk chiffon dress by Versace. Black jade, diamond, white gold earring and Gold cuff. Palladium-finish white gold and black jade bracelet. Styled by Samira Nasr.

In speaking on how Olivia Pope influenced her idea of motherhood, she explained; "Even though Olivia Pope has obviously made the decision that she is not a mom," Washington says, in reference to the 2015 midseason finale, in which—spoiler—Pope gets an abortion, "playing her made me feel like I could be a mom. Because she knows there's always another way—there's always a way to fix it, there's always a way to solve it, to win. And I feel like playing her made me feel like, All right, I can do it. I will figure out how to juggle it all."

Check out the beautiful actress’ pictures above and let us know what you think.