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We caught up with Scandal star Kerry Washington today after the announcement this morning that she’s one of six contenders for an Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. It’s her second nomination ever; both were for her role as problem solver Olivia Pope. “I’m very, very, very grateful,” she told InStyle. “It’s so surreal because I feel like if everyone who really deserved an Emmy nomination got an Emmy nomination, then our Scandal family would be swimming in them!” she said. “But the real prize is being able to work on the show. These little acknowledgements makes me think, ‘Maybe we’ll get to do it longer.’”

See if Washington walks away with a trophy when the 2104 Emmy Awards air live on NBC Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. ET.