Kerry Washington opens up about a long-hidden family secret that explains her longstanding sense of not quite belonging in her family. The revelation occurred as the actress was preparing to participate in Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. where celebrities explore their ancestry through DNA testing, and her parents reacted with concern when it was her turn to submit her sample.
Her decision to investigate her roots led to a private family discussion and the uncovering of a long-kept family secret in the spring of 2018. As she grappled with the revelation, Washington found that it brought both clarity to her own narrative and a sense of relief after years of feeling that her parents were withholding information.
In reflecting on her past struggles, Washington speculated that these challenges could have resulted from her subconscious response to her parents’ concealed truth. She explained, “I was not his never occurred to me. It was just, why can’t we be closer?”
She remained composed and sought to extend grace to her parents during what was evidently a difficult moment for them. The confession, rather than undermining their family bond, ultimately strengthened it. “Taking this deep dive into our family history made me put myself in their shoes and think about the things that they’ve had to navigate and what they’ve been through and what they’ve sacrificed,” the actress explained.
Empowered by the newfound information, Washington felt compelled to share her authentic story with the world in her memoir Thicker Than Water. Washington has made efforts to find her biological father, but despite her best attempts, his identity remains unknown.
In her memoir, the actress acknowledges the difficulty her parents faced with the revelation but mentions their overall support. Reflecting on her experience, she says, “I’m still grappling with the absence of knowledge about half of my biological heritage. At least now, the puzzle doesn’t have any incorrect pieces.”