Thicker Than Water audiobook cover - A Memoir

Thicker Than Water

A Memoir

Kerry Washington

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Biography & Memoir

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Thicker Than Water
Early Life & Upbringing+
Childhood Trauma & Healing+
Career Breakthrough+
Activism & Influence+
Journey to Motherhood+
Power of Reflection+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
How did the contrasting environments of Bronxville and Harlem affect Kerry Washington during her childhood?
  • A. They caused her to completely reject both communities and seek a new identity away from New York.
  • B. They taught her how to code-switch and adapt, though she internally struggled with feeling torn between two identities.
  • C. They provided a seamless, unified upbringing that shielded her from the realities of racial and class divides.
  • D. They forced her to permanently choose her mother's academic focus over her father's cultural connections.
Question 2 of 6
What coping mechanism did Washington develop as a child to deal with the trauma of her parents' divorce and their emotional disengagement?
  • A. She developed perfectionism and suppressed her struggles to maintain the appearance of a stable childhood.
  • B. She frequently acted out in school to draw attention to her emotional distress.
  • C. She immediately sought out therapy and openly communicated her feelings to her parents.
  • D. She isolated herself entirely from her peers and focused exclusively on her acting career.
Question 3 of 6
Beyond personal ambition, what was a primary motivation for Washington as she persisted through small roles early in her acting career?
  • A. To earn enough money to fund her own independent production studio.
  • B. To surpass her mother's academic achievements and eventually become a professor.
  • C. To expand the limited opportunities available in Hollywood for women of color.
  • D. To transition away from acting and build a full-time career in politics.
Question 4 of 6
How did Washington utilize her platform after achieving mainstream success with the show 'Scandal'?
  • A. She focused exclusively on international charity work, stepping away from domestic issues.
  • B. She co-founded the nonprofit Color of Change and engaged in public activism for racial justice and diversity.
  • C. She launched a political campaign to run for local office in her hometown of the Bronx.
  • D. She started a talent agency that only represented actors who had not yet landed major television roles.
Question 5 of 6
What unexpected emotional challenge did Washington face after welcoming her daughter in 2014?
  • A. She lost her passion for acting and struggled with the decision to retire from Hollywood.
  • B. She faced intense public backlash for returning to work too quickly after giving birth.
  • C. She found that her career-driven perfectionism did not translate to parenting, leading to periods of depression and isolation.
  • D. She struggled to find caregivers who shared her community-oriented values and political beliefs.
Question 6 of 6
Why did Washington decide to write and publish her memoir at the relatively young age of 45?
  • A. She was contractually obligated by her production company to release a book alongside her latest film.
  • B. She wanted to humanize her story, dispel the myth that fame brings a perfect life, and process her past experiences.
  • C. She intended to announce her retirement from acting and pivot to a full-time career as an author.
  • D. She wanted to write a definitive guide on how to successfully navigate the college audition process.

Thicker Than Water — Full Chapter Overview

Thicker Than Water Summary & Overview

Thicker than Water (2022) is an intimate memoir by acclaimed actress Kerry Washington, who opens up about the childhood experiences, activism, and personal challenges that shaped her groundbreaking career. With courageous vulnerability, Washington shares her winding journey to amplify underrepresented voices and make an impact as an artist, mother, and role model.

Who Should Listen to Thicker Than Water?

  • Those interested in uplifting marginalized voices in arts, culture and storytelling
  • People intrigued by behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories and celebrity memoirs
  • Anyone facing struggles with mental health, infertility, or overcoming adversity looking for inspiring biographies

About the Author: Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington is an Emmy-nominated actress known for roles in films like Ray and Django Unchained, as well as her breakout starring role on the TV series Scandal. She made her Broadway debut in American Son in 2019, for which she earned a Tony nomination for Best Actress. Washington is also a producer, director, and activist who co-founded the production company Simpson Street to amplify diverse stories and marginalized creators.

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