The U.S. political climate was quite optimistic whenScandalpremiered on ABC in April 2012. PresidentBarack Obamawas closing in on a second term, the financial crisis was over, and things were looking up. It was the ideal time for a show to showcase D.C.’s dark underbelly and allthe scandalous cover-upsorchestrated by the political elite. The political figures inScandalwere not some representation of morality and righteousness; they were ruthless and manipulative, and at the center of their salacious screw-ups was the woman who could fix it all, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington). As incredible asScandal’s storylines were, perhaps even more impressive is thatOlivia Pope is based on real-life “fixer” and crisis manager-extraordinaire Judy Smith.
A former White House Communications Director starts her own crisis management firm only to realize her clients are not the only ones with secrets.
What Is ‘Scandal’ About?
Scandalfollows the lawyers of Olivia Pope & Associates as they attempt to shield their high-profile clients from embarrassment and disgrace. Olivia Pope is the ultimate spin doctor, helping notorious politicos re-brand their images and overcome career-ruining scandals. However, this isn’t a law office; it’s far from it. It’s a public relations firm staffed with lawyers who know the ins and outs of media coverage, public opinion, and, of course, the law.
Thepolitical underworld of Washington D.C.is full of back-door deals, borderline-ethical transactions, and thinly-veiled power grabs. In a world wherepower guarantees access to any and everything, transgressions abound, and Olivia Pope and her “gladiators in suits” are there to ensure those transgressions remain buried. They know how to operate in the gray areas, in the space outside the lines, as they deftly predict their opponents' next moves and manage to come out ahead for their clients.
At the heart ofScandalis the character of Olivia Pope. Pope is a fast-talking, direct, and effective communicator who thrives in deceitful D.C. She is known for her chic fashion sense, particularly her love of wearing white, which is a stand-out choice against the typically understated black and gray of Washington, D.C. Pope is as unflappable as they come.She is rarely rattled, even in tense situations, like in the episode “Sweet Baby,” when she shows up short of ransom money, is threatened at gunpoint, and still manages to dominate the situation and get her client’s baby back. The best thing about Olivia Pope is that so much of her character came fromher real-life inspiration, Judy Smith, including her love of wine and popcorn.
Judy Smith Is the Real-Life “Fixer” Behind ‘Scandal’
In the world of D.C. politics, Judy Smith is famous, perhaps even more so now because many people know of her through her connection toScandal.Before becoming the go-to “fixer” for celebrities and politicians, she worked as Deputy Press Secretary to PresidentGeorge H.W. Bush. After earning a B.S. in Public Relations from Boston University and a J.D. from American University, Smith worked in various public relations roles, including for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. After earning hergroundbreaking position as Deputy Press Secretary to President Bush, the first woman of color in that role, sheleft the White Houseto start her own consulting firm, Smith & Company, specializing in crisis management.
Judy Smith explains her job in crisis managementas problem-solving. When others come to her, seeking help, she asks, “What would you expect from the other person?” It comes down to owning mistakes and being accountable. She has helped some big celebrities, political figures, and large corporationstake responsibility for their actions and win in the court of public opinion.Smith helpedMonica Lewinskythrough the Clinton Scandal, and she’s represented high-profile clients that includeJesse Jackson Jr.,Wesley Snipes, andAngelina Jolie, among others. She has also worked as a communications advisor for some of the largest companies in the world, including Amazon, Facebook, Sony, and Walmart. Her highly sought-after problem-solving skills have made her privy to some highly hush-hush secrets. One can only guess at the similarities between her clients' problems and the ones Olivia Pope faces inScandal.
Where Do Judy Smith and ‘Scandal’s Olivia Pope Intersect?
For all the information that exists on Judy Smith, you’d be hard-pressed to find out any actual details of the clients she represents. That’s the point, after all. And this makes for an interesting conundrum. As Co-Executive Producer ofScandal, Smith was highly involved in the series. She gave feedback on every script and helped keep the scenes based in reality, at least in terms ofhow a crisis management team would respond. Her experience working in the White House provided valuable insights into the daily grind of employees on staff as well as how those employees would handle extreme circumstances, like an attempted assassination of the president. But as far as the actualscandals portrayed in the show, those were highly fictionalized, like Olivia Pope’s affair with President Fitzgerald “Fitz” Thomas Grant III (Tony Goldwyn).
The other element of realness that Judy Smith was passionate about including inScandalwas that Olivia Pope look like her. Smith, herself being the first woman of color to serve as Deputy Press Secretary, wanted to ensure Olivia Pope represented her not just in characteristics and mannerisms, but as a trailblazing woman of color.Scandalis the first series in forty years with a Black woman as the lead, something for which Smith advocated. Beyond representing Smith as authentically as possible, the decision to placeKerry Washington in the lead roleof Olivia Pope proved that millions of people wanted to watch an extraordinary show with a non-white lead.
Judy Smith’s influence onScandalis undeniable. From Olivia Pope’s glamorous wardrobe to high-stakes political drama, the series takes more than a little inspiration from the real-life woman who blazed a trail for female entrepreneurs. As a highly sought-after image “fixer,” Smith repeatedly proves she knows how to handle a sticky situation. She has also proven just how relevant her work is to those not in the limelight. Her book,Good Self, Bad Self, provides expert advice on “how to bounce back from a personal crisis,” something everyone can relate to.Some of Smith’s most significant work may actually be in the everyday people she helps. Whether it’sinspiring other women to dream bigor helping people overcome significant life challenges, Smith’s dedication to her work is unassailable, and her impact on network TV is unforgettable.
Scandalis available to stream on Hulu.
Watch on Hulu
