Kerry Washington Glamour Cover Shoot

In a stunning shoot with this month's Glamour magazine, the 36-year-star revealed she had to ring her friend to ask how to pronounce the French fashion house Hermès.

The shy actress - who recently married San Francisco 49ers corner-back Nnamdi Asomugha - also spoke about her refusal to talk about her private life.

Her wedding took place in June, although it wasn't even revealed that she was dating the sportsman. 

'There were a couple of actresses who I felt were having the upper hand careerwise - because they knew how to work that red carpet,' Kerry revealed, talking about her early days in the business.

'So I sort of developed a new character: Red-Carpet Kerry.'

She added: 'I was doing library hours on fashion. And then it happened - I was in love.'

'I’m walking around in the world with my ring. And when people say congratulations, I say thank you. But I’m going to continue to not talk about it and just let it unfold.' she said.

'I don’t want to sound smug about it... but the point is to do what’s best for me. I have girlfriends in this business who talk about their personal lives, and it works for them, and I love it. But not for me.'

As well as being happy in her personal life, Kerry's professional career appears to be going from strength to strength.