Kerry Washington was nervous about joining Twitter

Quizzed on whether she's happy she took the leap, she said: "Yes.

There is a real power in social media. The world has become a global community and that's very exciting. [But] I'm a very private person so I was nervous about it.

"I didn't know how to interact in this way without feeling like I was violating a sense of having a personal life outside and separate from work."

The 'Django Unchained' actress - who has three-month-old daughter Isabelle with her husband Nnamdi Asomugha - is also a keen supporter of charities which fight for equality.

Kerry explained to Stylist magazine: "I've gravitated a lot towards women's issues because I'm a woman. Also, I believe in equality for all members of our community and that lends itself to being very active around voting, voters' rights and participating in a democracy.

"Our voices are heard in the US by showing up and voting. It's important that people know they own that privilege."