For six years, Kerry Washington was front and center as Olivia Pope in Shonda Rhimes‘ award-winning political drama, Scandal. Before the highly acclaimed series, we’d seen her in the likes of the 2000 film Our Song, Save the Last Dance (2001), Bad Company (2002), Ray (2004), Little Man (2006), and I Think I Love My Wife (2007), among a slew of others.
Still, although the veteran actress’ professional endeavors shined bright in the spotlight, she’s kept the curtains pretty much closed on her personal life. In 2003, Washington dated Hollywood trouper David Moscow, but by 2007, they were calling off their engagement. Now, the Bronx native is married to Asomugha, an ex-NFL player.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Asomugha is a Los Angeles-bred athlete-turned-actor. The Nigerian retiree was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2003 and played eight years with the team.
Not much is known about Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha’s relationship timeline, but here’s what we can tell you about their off-the-radar romance.
Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha’s Relationship Timeline
2009 – Washington and Asomugha Meet While She’s on Broadway
In 2009, Washington portrayed ‘Susan’ in playwright David Mamet’s Broadway production, Race. Reportedly, Asomugha met Washington at her performance, which took place at the Barrymore Theatre, while with a mutual friend.
Last year, when asked by The Drew Barrymore Show host, fellow actress Barrymore (whose relatives founded the historic theatre) if sparks flew instantly or their connection was a “slow burn,” Washington told her, “It was a little bit of both!”
She continued, “We’ve been married ten years now, so it’s like an immediate with a great, slow burn that I hope will keep burning.”
2012 – They Officially Start Dating
Washington and Asomugha rumoredly began courting in 2012. There aren’t many details regarding the early part of their relationship, but clearly… the lovebirds were intentional about it to the altar!
2013 – Washington and Asomugha Secretly Tie the Knot
According to an E! News exclusive (initially posted by gossip blog TerezOwens), Washington privately wedded her football beau on June 24, 2013, in Idaho.
Earlier this year, on SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine with James Corden, The Django Unchained phenomenon recalled: “I loved my [engagement] ring so much. So, I would sleep in it at night, and then in the morning, I would pin it to my undergarments so that nobody knew we were engaged.”
She furthered, “It just felt like there was a lot of public energy around our careers, but we kept our relationship very private when we were dating, I think mostly because we just wanted to protect ourselves and each other.”
2014 – Their First Child Together Is Born
Washington welcomed her first child, a daughter named Isabelle, with Asomugha in April 2014.
2015 – Rumors Swirl That the Pair Has Decided to Divorce
According to RadarOnline, in 2015, In Touch Weekly reported that Washington had met with a divorce attorney due to marital issues.
“I don’t talk about my personal life,” she allegedly said at the 2016 SXSW Music, Film, and Interactive Festival. “That means not only did I not tell you when I was getting married, it also means if somebody has rumors about what’s going on in my marriage, I don’t refute them, because I don’t talk about my personal life.”
2016 – The Couple Added Baby #2 to the Asomugha Crew
Washington and Asomugha’s baby boy, Caleb, made his grand entrance in October 2016.
During a 2023 panel at the National Action Network Convention, Washington boasted of her little family (including Asomugha’s child from a past union), “My husband’s amazing, I got a good one. We have three beautiful children. And I think, you know, when I look at my marriage, and I look at my kids, fundamentally, they are proof of God to me.”
2018 – Washington Stars Broadway Play Co-Produced By Her Husband
In 2018, Washington returned to Broadway for American Son, co-produced by Asomugha. The production would later be adapted into a Netflix film, with Washington reprising her role.
2023 – The Asomughas Pop Out at the 2023 Met Gala
Mr. Asomugha and his leading lady completely rocked the house at the 2023 Met Gala! We love a good bold eye on Mrs. Kerry! It was the perfect way to complement her boo-thang’s dapper suit.
2024 – Still Going Strong: Washington Shows Support for Her Man
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In a post to her Instagram account last month, Washington gushed about her man, Asomugha’s, newest film accomplishment.
She wrote in the caption: “#ProudWifey fit. Nnamdi’s movie #TheKnife that he starred in, directed, and co-wrote debuted last in @tribeca. It is sooooooooooooo good. And I am sooooooooooooo proud!”
Which was your favorite moment of Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha’s relationship timeline? Let us know below!