"Ugly Betty" star Vanessa Williams guested on The Wendy Williams Show yesterday Monday, July 13th and spoke on a variety of subjects, including the news of an upcoming musical episode for the ABC comedy serieS. Williams mentioned that is would be happening this season.
A musical episode has been rumored for the Broadway friendly series for the last couple of years. In 2007 it was reported that the show secured the talents of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (HAIRSPRAY, upcoming CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) and Jerry Mitchell (LEGALLY BLONDE, HAIRSPRAY, BROADWAY BARES) but the writers strike halted any production at that time. The show employs the talents of many stage actors in both starring and guest roles each week. Patti LuPone, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Kristen Chenoweth are just a few of the theatre favorites who have graced episodes.
William dished about the new season of "Ugly Betty" and performed a song from her new CD, "The Real Thing." She also revealed she'd love to return to Broadway if it could be worked out with her shooting schedule.
"Ugly Betty" is a Golden Globe and Emmy winning comedy starring America Ferrera in the title role, along with Eric Mabius, Judith Light, Rebecca Romijn and Vanessa Williams. The series premiered on September 28, 2006, on ABC in the United States.
Representing New York in the Miss America contest, Williams became the first African-American ever to be crowned the winner. MS. Williams became a major sensation as a recording artist hitting the top of the R&B charts with such hit albums as "The Right Stuff," "The Comfort Zone," "The Sweetest Days," and the smash singles "Dreamin'," "Save the Best for Last," and "Love Is." Williams starred in her first Broadway role when she took over the lead in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" whose cast album was re-recorded to accommodate her applauded performance. Soon after, Williams recorded the commercial version of "Colors of the Wind," the theme to the Disney film "Pocahontas" which was a huge hit winning the Academy Award.
Films to follow were starring roles opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Eraser," "Soul Food," "Dance With Me," "Light it Up," and the remake of "Shaft." In the interim, Williams continued to record such hit albums as "Next," and "Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years." She was nominated for Broadway's 2002 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for the revival of "Into The Woods".
Wendy Williams is expanding her already impressive empire to the world of television, with the launch of The Wendy Williams Show in national syndication on July 13, 2009, after a successful six-week preview the previous year. A mother and wife with a tremendously successful career as a radio personality and author, Williams first made a name for herself by using her "big mouth" on the radio where she has spent 23 years, 16 of them spent on the air in New York City, winning over legions of fans. For more info visit her show website by clicking here.
