The Inspiration for Olivia Pope, Judy Smith Speaks at Kean University
By David Janes | Published by March 7, 2019
The Spring Semester Distinguished Lecture Series kicked off with Crisis Manager and Fixer herself, Judy Smith. Smith has represented Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Enron, and worked under George H. W. Bush’s administration as his Deputy Press Secretary, dealing with the investigation of Iran-Contra and 1991 Gulf War. Smith is also known for serving as the inspiration for ABC’s Scandal and the main character of Olivia Pope, a crisis manager and fixer for Washington D.C.
Sitting down with Karen Smith, Vice President of University Relations, Judy Smith tells an audience in the STEM auditorium, an inspiring and empowering message, ‘Determine who you’ll become,” as well as defining certain values, ethics and lines for themselves.
“It’s going to determine who you become. And I think the second thing that’s important for me is having the confidence that you can do what you set your mind to, I always tell people life requires action,” Smith said, “Third thing is to take risks, and don’t place limits on yourself.”
Smith, then touched on how to make the world a better place by giving advice on focusing on something near to the heart.
“Focus on that and figure out your skillset, how can you use what you even love or what you’re good at to pass it on and move it on. For me, it’s trying to help as many people as I possibly can,” said Smith.
Smith, even opened up an info-line last year to the public which received 50,000 emails from as many people who have issues, problems, and answering as many as she can.
“Seeing someone who looks like you on TV and doing all these great things but also based off someone who was real that’s how I was drawn to it. I’m starstruck by her,” said Kaveena Bullock, Graduate student, English and Writing Studies major. “What she was actually doing with her life, not that it’s rare but it’s admiring to see.”
“She was very inspirational, and it makes me want to go into the world with that,” said Senior Lucrece Meronvil, Public Administration major.
Smith has her own firm, Smith and Co. with branches in New York, Los Angeles and Washington D.C., that specializes in crisis management, fixing reputations and brands of the client.
Smith recalls meeting with Shonda Rhimes, Creator of Scandal, and how the meeting ended up being longer than initially planned.
“My meeting with Shonda was only supposed to take 15 minutes and ended up talking for about an hour and a half,” Smith said.
Smith found her entrance into television a different kind of challenge as at the time but recounts it was huge growth on her part.
“I didn’t know anything about entertainment, I wasn’t really trying to do a show but I find the greatest growth for me personally has been when I step out of my comfort zone,” said Smith.
Scandal was the first show in 35 years to have an African-American lead on network television. Recently, Smith sold two television shows currently in development.
Smith was asked if she’d ever consider running for audience as the audience erupted in cheers and clapping. Smith said that working in the White House “killed all of that”, as the audience bursted into laughter.
“There are so many ways to create change,” said Smith, “There are so many ways we can help each other.”
As the lecture comes to an end, Smith left an inspiring message to take away. She believes everyone has a path and that everyone lands where their supposed to be. This piece of advice conveys the essence of the speech’s message:
“I think that people end up where their supposed to be, based on the decisions you make. My path would be something I could have never predicted,” said Smith.
“She really said a lot of things about stepping out your comfort zone, what you actually love to do, what matters to you and how to use that help other people and that really inspired me,” said Bullock.
Smith ends with one last message, “You take some wrong turns, but you can always course correct.”