Hollywood star Kerry Washington has shared one of the wildest stories from her time in Uganda, recalling the moment she found herself face-to-face with a mountain gorilla and decided to put her acting skills to work.
Washington first travelled to Uganda while filming The Last King of Scotland, in which she played Kay Amin.
But her memories of the country go beyond the film set.
Speaking on BET’s Breakfast Club, Washington recalled how she immersed herself in Ugandan culture during her time in the country rather than simply experiencing it as a visitor.
I really did feel at home there.
Her gorilla trekking adventure, however, gave her one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip.
Washington recalled heading into the forest with guides and trackers to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, describing the encounter as one of the most intense spiritual experiences of her life.
Then one of the gorillas came closer.
Visitors receive instructions on how to behave around the animals, including staying calm if a gorilla approaches.
Washington decided to follow those instructions with a little method acting.
This was my Meryl Streep moment.
She squatted down, picked up a leaf and started chewing it when the gorilla approached, fully committing to her improvised performance.
When I tell you that is the best performance of my life, I was the gorilla. The gorilla was me.
The move appeared to work.
Washington said the gorillas continued coming closer, including a curious baby gorilla, turning the encounter into an extraordinary moment for her group.
Years after filming The Last King of Scotland, Washington’s memories of Uganda still carry a strong sense of connection, from immersing herself in the culture to stepping into the forest for an encounter she clearly will never forget.
And if her story is anything to go by, one of her most memorable performances in Uganda had nothing to do with a movie set.