PHOTOS: Kerry Washington Covers Ebony, Instyle and Marie Claire Magazines

Rocking a dark brown, sleek bob and turquoise eye liner, the Scandal star unleashes a bit more of her “fun side” according to editors.

She still kept it forthright on where she stands in wholeheartedly supporting women’s rights and #BlackLivesMatter.

Inside, Washington opens up about guarding her family life, upcoming projects, personal passions and causes that she holds near and dear. She also dished on why she felt compelled to speak out about the Mike Brown tragedy on the red carpet at the Emmys last August. According to the 38-year-old, it was tough celebrating her nomination knowing that Brown’s parents had just lost their son.

“I was really broken that morning,” she told Ebony.

She went on to say that she watched the live stream from the teen’s funeral online that morning and was unable to shut off the emotions that came as a result.

“Watching that funeral, I was just broken. And I take all of who I am into a room. That’s where I was that day. I’m not going to let anyone segment me or make me exclude parts of who I am because they may be threatening.”

Catch Kerry’s full interview in the new issue of Ebony, which hits stands March 20.

The beautiful actress was also on the cover of Marie Claire Magazine, Check out some of the highlights from their conversation.

On why she’s so private

“Earlier in my career I was much more super-sharey. There were moments when I wanted to process things that were happening to me more privately, and I didn’t have the space to do it, because once you let people in, they’re in and you don’t get to say, ‘Oh, I want this for myself.’”

On working with Shonda Rhimes 

“I’m very respectful of Shonda’s vision of who Olivia [Pope] is, but she has said that she is informed by the choices I make. If we were waltzing, she’s definitely leading. And she picked the song, and she probably dressed us, but it is a waltz.”

Growing up feeling not so pretty 

“I didn’t grow up thinking I was pretty; there was always a prettier girl than me. So I learned to be smart and tried to be funny and develop the inside of me, because I felt like that’s what I had.”

Family 

“I just want [daughter Isabelle] to know that she’s heard. Really heard, because I feel like that is what we all really want. When I think about any of the missteps in my life that I’ve made, all of which I’m grateful for, it’s because I just so wanted to be truly seen and heard for who I am and was afraid I wasn’t or wouldn’t be. I see you, I hear you, I’m with you as you are.”

How Olivia Pope has helped her

I don’t think I consciously say, ‘What would Olivia Pope do?’ but there’s a new thread of belief in my own capacity that I think comes from her. She makes it happen. She figures it out. She fixes it.”

The actress also covered Instyle Magazine March Issue which got her fans going mad on social networks

“What the ***? Doesn’t look like her shame on magazine staff & editor just ridiculous need to be Fired for that cover picture, seriously what were they thinking I love Kerry she’s beautiful but sorry that’s not her,” wrote one commenter.

“Omg that’s kerry…. it looks nothing like her she is soooo much more prettier than that….there is soooo much photoshop going on in this picture,” said another.

“I’m so happy for her but I have to say that it did take me a while to figure out who was that..until I read the comments,” another fan chimed in.

“At 1st i let the other magazines of Kerry on the cover pass, but this has finally open my eyes to the intent that these editors see all people of color the same. WTF!!!”

“I’m disgusted Kerry! I love you!!! But at some point YOU HAVE TO STAND UP AND SAY NO! Smh #YourBlackIsBeautiful.”

“She looks like they made her white.”