Darby Stanchfield

“I love seeing a young woman embrace who she is.”

“I did 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' a while ago, and Lady Gaga was in the dressing room next to mine. The outfit she wore walking down the hall was even more fabulous than what she wore onstage!”

“Over at the Olivia Pope & Associates set, we're like middle school children. Every time there's a cut in the action, we joke and dance around; there's show tunes and fart noises.”

“I'm really attracted to playing strong, outspoken, sassy women. And I love playing characters who have a little bit of conflict or who can be controversial.”

“When I'm grateful for all the blessings, it puts away all the stress about things not in my control. Things like long hours, aging, pollution, scandals... it helps me create perspective by just focusing on being grateful. Take that moment twice a day with yourself.”

“I'm a very private person, so I didn't like this idea of tweeting about me. And then I realized, 'Oh, this is actually a brilliant device in terms of interacting with the fans'. It's a lovely way to just get back, to thank the fans for watching the show. And to live tweet is kind of like getting the rewards of doing live theatre.”

“The biggest scandal I was ever involved in was - in high school, at a basketball game, I shot and scored for the other team.”

“I'm such a good sleeper that I can have tea any time of day, and I will have no problem taking a nap. I'm a professional napper.”

“I don't have a wine cellar. Just tea day and night.”

“I'm really a cook. I used to be the opposite - I used to go out a lot - but now I primarily cook.”

“When I get ready for a high-profile event, it's really about sleep and making sure I'm eating something healthy, and then it's always important to stretch to stay limber. No matter what, you want to feel as loose as possible, because it's easy to get full of excitement or tension with all that's going on.”

“The way that I grew up, we ate very whole, real, natural foods.”

“My favorite cast member of 'Scandal' is Josh Malina.”

“I text with my dad during every 'Scandal' episode. We talk story lines, acting, and fashion.”

“I'm a very private person, so I didn't like this idea of tweeting about me. And then I realized, 'Oh, this is actually a brilliant device in terms of interacting with the fans.'”

“I like to be very consistent with workouts and getting a good amount of sleep. I've really been enjoying Pilates lately. It's actually really tough to fit in my schedule, but if I can get in a workout three times a week while we're shooting, that feels right. Any more seems to deplete my energy.”

“I get homesick for snow and for winter and for seasons and, really, for weather patterns. But L.A. has some of the best weather, so who can complain when it's 80 degrees and sunny?”

“I've been pulled over five times for speeding - and talked my way out of every single ticket!”

“I would rather be working than be on vacation. Always.”

“When I met Oprah, the first thing I thought was, 'She is the most amazing hugger ever.'”