Larry King Now Season 5 Episode 119 Bellamy Young On 'Scandal,' Women in Hollywood, & Politics

Bellamy Young, who gained fame with her role as Mellie Grant on ‘Scandal,’ joins Larry King on the Season 5, Episode 119 of Larry King Now. The two discuss her breakthrough role on the popular political drama, the portrayal of powerful women in Hollywood, and her thoughts on politics in America.

Bellamy Young opened up about landing the role of Mellie Grant on ‘Scandal’ and the impact it had on her career. She revealed that the character of Mellie was initially presented to her as the “sleeping wife of the president” and that she had to work to develop her archetype into a more three-dimensional character. Young shares her joy in seeing how the character developed over the seven seasons of the show and the creative freedom that she was given to make the character her own. She also talks about the importance of Mellie's journey in breaking down barriers regarding women in positions of power and how that's incredibly important for our culture.

The actress also touched on the issue of gender inequality in Hollywood and how there’s still a long way to go with more opportunities for females behind the camera. Bellamy Young pointed out that there’s still a significant underrepresentation of women in director roles, and she is hopeful that the influx of female showrunners and directors throughout the industry will continue so that young girls can see the possibility before them.

Then Larry King and Bellamy Young discussed the influence of politics on the entertainment industry. Young shares that she has always been very passionate about politics, and the current political climate has only made her more so. She emphasizes the significance of people stepping up to the plate and making their voices heard, especially in an era where political upheaval is becoming very common. Bellamy also worries about how divided we are as a nation and how we need to find common ground and learn to talk to each other to move forward.

During the interview, Bellamy Young also speaks about her passions outside of acting. The actress revealed that she loves to sing and perform in musicals as well as do crafts, like weaving and knitting. She also shared some of her favorite causes, including animal welfare and support for the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Overall, the Season 5, Episode 119 of Larry King Now featuring Bellamy Young is a candid and insightful look at the career of one of Hollywood’s most exceptional actors. Young’s engaging personality shines through in her discussions on various topics like politics, gender equality, and the power of representation in Hollywood. The interview is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Young’s work and her unique perspective on the entertainment industry and current political climate in America.