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Vanessa Williams

Birth Place: Bronx, NY, USA

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BIO

Williams initially gained recognition as the first woman of African-American descent to receive the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984 in 1983. However, a scandal arose the following year when, a few weeks prior to the end of her reign, Williams learned that Penthouse magazine would be publishing now "iconic" unauthorized photographs of her in an upcoming issue. Amid growing media controversy and scrutiny, Williams resigned as Miss America in July 1984 (under pressure from the Miss America Organization) and was replaced by first runner-up Miss New Jersey Suzette Charles. Thirty-two years later, Miss America CEO Sam Haskell offered her a public apology (during the Miss America 2016 pageant) for the events of 1984.


Williams rebounded from the scandal with a successful career as a singer and actress. In 1988, she released her debut studio album The Right Stuff, whose title single saw moderate success before "Dreamin'" peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States in 1989. With her second and third studio albums, The Comfort Zone (1991) and The Sweetest Days (1994), she saw continued commercial success and received multiple Grammy Award nominations; this included her number-one hit (in early 1992) and signature song, "Save the Best for Last", which she performed live at the 1993 Grammy Awards ceremonies. Her later studio albums include Everlasting Love (2005) and The Real Thing (2009).
As an actress, Williams enjoyed success on both stage and screen, receiving an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal of Teri Joseph in the film Soul Food (1997). Her best-known television roles are that of Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty (2006–10), for which she was nominated three times for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and Renee Perry on Desperate Housewives (2010–12).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Margaret
City of Angels City of Angels
[West End]
West End Revival, 2020
Carla/Alaura
Hey, Look Me Over! Hey, Look Me Over!
[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores! Production, 2018
Performer
Sondheim on Sondheim Sondheim on Sondheim
[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Revival, 2017
Performer
After Midnight After Midnight
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Special Guest Star [Replacement]
The Trip to Bountiful The Trip to Bountiful
[Broadway]
2013
Performer
Sondheim on Sondheim Sondheim on Sondheim
[Broadway]
Roundabout Production, 2010
Performer
Into the Woods
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2002
Witch
Into the Woods
[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Revival (Pre-Broadway), 2002
Witch
Kiss of the Spider Woman
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1993
Spider Woman/Aurora [Replacement]
Spider Woman / Aurora [Replacement]
Mule Bone
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1991
Bootsie
Daisy (Understudy)
Sarafina!
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1988
Vanessa
Death and the King's Horseman
[Broadway]
1987
Ensemble

Productions


Movies

The Pick-up Artist
[ 1987 ] Rae
Under the Gun
[ 1988 ] Samantha Richards
Another You
[ 1991 ] Gloria
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man
[ 1991 ] Lulu Daniels
Eraser
[ 1996 ] Lee
Hoodlum
[ 1997 ] Francine Hughes
Soul Food
[ 1997 ] Teri
Dance with Me
[ 1998 ] Ruby Sinclair
Light It Up
[ 1999 ] Audrey McDonald
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
[ 1999 ] Queen of Trash
Shaft
[ 2000 ] Carmen Vasquez
Johnson Family Vacation
[ 2004 ] Dorothy Johnson
My Brother
[ 2006 ] L'Tisha Morton
And Then Came Love
[ 2007 ] Julie
Hannah Montana: The Movie
[ 2009 ] Vita
Delhi Safari
[ 2012 ] Begum
Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor
[ 2013 ] Janice
He's Way More Famous Than You
[ 2013 ] Vanessa Williams
When Marnie Was There
[ 2014 ] Hisako
The Man from Earth: Holocene
[ 2017 ] Carolyn
The Legend of Hallowaiian
[ 2018 ] Fire Goddess
Miss Virginia
[ 2019 ] Sally Rae
Bad Hair
[ 2020 ] Zora

TV Shows

Partners in Crime
Roselle Robins
The Redd Foxx Show
Jessica
T.J. Hooker
Officer Pat Williamson
The Love Boat
Pearl
Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal
Valentine Hayward
The Kid Who Loved Christmas
Lynette Parks
Seriously... Phil Collins
Rachel, TV Executive
Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer
Terri Knight
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Danny Mitchell
Stompin' at the Savoy
Pauline
The Jacksons: An American Dream
Suzanne de Passe
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Beauty
Nothing Lasts Forever
Dr. Kathy 'Kat' Hunter
Bye Bye Birdie
Rose Alvarez
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Arandis
The Odyssey
Calypso
Futuresport
Alex Torres
L.A. Doctors
Dr. Leanne Barrows
Don Quixote
Dulcinea, Aldonza
A Diva's Christmas Carol
Ebony Scrooge
The Courage to Love
Mother Henriette Delille
Santa, Baby!
Alicia voice
WW 3
M.J. Blake
The Proud Family
Debra
Keep the Faith, Baby
Hazel Scott
Ally McBeal
Sheila Hunt
Boomtown
Detective Katherine Pierce
South Beach
Elizabeth Bauer
The Beautiful World of Ugly Betty
Wilhelmina Slater
Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies
[ 2007-2008 ] Mama Mirabelle
Ugly Betty
[ 2006-2010 ] Wilhelmina Slater
Desperate Housewives
[ 2010-2012 ] Renee Perry
666 Park Avenue
[ 2012-2013 ] Olivia Doran
The Trip to Bountiful
Jessie Mae Watts
The Good Wife
Courtney Paige
The Mindy Project
Dr. Phillips
Royal Pains
Olympia Houston
Fantasy Life
Terry
Broad City
Elizabeth Carlton
The Librarians
[ 2016-2017 ] General Cynthia Rockwell
Daytime Divas
Maxine Robinson
Modern Family
Rhonda
Difficult People
Trish
Me, Myself and I
Kelly Frasier
False Profits
Suzanne
Doc McStuffins
Delilah
First Wives Club
Nancy
Happy Accident
Sherri
Twenties
[ 2020-2021 ] Angela
Girls5eva
Nance Trace
Kenan
Tasha

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Vanessa Williams, The Trip to Bountiful

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Vanessa Williams, The Trip to Bountiful

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Vanessa Williams, Into the Woods

Videos

More Video

News


Bucks County Playhouse To Present Performances From Darius de Haas and Edmund Bagnell Photo
Bucks County Playhouse To Present Performances From Darius de Haas and Edmund Bagnell

Experience holiday magic with two cabaret performances at the Playhouse Barn, featuring Broadway's Teri Dale Hansen and pianist Joseph Thalken. Enjoy festive classics and new favorites this season.
Alicia Witt Releases New Holiday Album Photo
Alicia Witt Releases New Holiday Album

Alicia Witt has released her latest holiday album, I Think I’m Spending Christmas with You. The project brings together the talents of Witt alongside Grammy award-winning John Paul White of The Civil Wars, Matthew Perryman Jones, and Mandy Barnett. Listen now!
Lottery Announced For THE MERRILY CHAPTERS NYC Presentation Photo
Lottery Announced For THE MERRILY CHAPTERS NYC Presentation

The Stage Door Foundation and Pam Pariseau have announced a special lottery for live studio audience tickets to a special industry presentation showing how Stephen Sondheim created MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG through the eyes of original Broadway cast member, David Loud.
Josh Groban, Brian Stokes Mitchell And More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE: VOTE-A-THON Photo
Josh Groban, Brian Stokes Mitchell And More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE: VOTE-A-THON

Stars in the House has announced Josh Groban, Neil Patrick Harris, Brian Stokes Mitchell and more for the second annual Election Day Vote-A-Thon.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Martin Short, Shoshana Bean, and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE Vot Photo
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Martin Short, Shoshana Bean, and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE Vote-A-Thon

“Stars in the House” will return for its second Election Day Vote-A-Thon with a star-studded lineup joining hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson to talk about their voting experiences and deliver LIVE musical performances.
Alicia Witt Releases Holiday Single 'I Think I’m Spending Christmas with You' Photo
Alicia Witt Releases Holiday Single 'I Think I’m Spending Christmas with You'

Award-winning actress and musician, Alicia Witt, has released her latest holiday track, “I Think I’m Spending Christmas with You,” out now. Listen to the song from “The Queen of Christmas”!
Laurie Metcalf and Eric McCormack Join ELSBETH as Guest Stars Photo
Laurie Metcalf and Eric McCormack Join ELSBETH as Guest Stars

Laurie Metcalf and Eric McCormack have joined the cast of the new season of the CBS dramedy Elsbeth as guest stars.
LITTLE PIECE OF YOU to Receive World Premiere Recording Photo
LITTLE PIECE OF YOU to Receive World Premiere Recording

Center Stage Records will release the world premiere recording of Little Piece of You – An Atypical Musical, the new musical written by Kjersti Long and Jeremy Long (music & lyrics) and Melissa Leilani Larson (book).
Video: Look at Back at a Tribute to Jason Robert Brown at MCC MISCAST24 Photo
Video: Look at Back at a Tribute to Jason Robert Brown at MCC MISCAST24

Take a look back at MCC Theater's MISCAST24 as Broadway stars perform a medley of MISCAST24 honoree Jason Robert Brown's classic songs! Watch here! 
Exclusive: Two Utah County Premieres Receive Professional Debuts in London Photo
Exclusive: Two Utah County Premieres Receive Professional Debuts in London

It is rare for a show to be developed in Utah and receive further life on a major stage. Now, joining the ranks of Pioneer Theatre Company’s SHUCKED are two Utah County theatre premieres with similar themes receiving professional debuts in London: Creekside Theatre Fest’s RELATIVE SPACE: AN ATYPICAL MUSICAL and Utah Valley University Noorda Center’s FLY MORE THAN YOU FALL.
Video: Annaleigh Ashford & Josh Groban Sing 'The Phantom of the Opera' at MISCAST Photo
Video: Annaleigh Ashford & Josh Groban Sing 'The Phantom of the Opera' at MISCAST

While they were starring in Sweeney Todd on Broadway, Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban took on another classic Broadway romance at MCC Theater's MISCAST23. The pair performed a gender-bent version of 'The Phantom of the Opera,' with Groban singing Christine's role and Ashford donning the iconic Phantom mask. Watch the video now!
Video: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA UK First Look Trailer Photo
Video: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA UK First Look Trailer

The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, based on the film and novel, is being presented at London’s Dominion Theatre this October, featuring an original score by music icon Elton John. Watch the trailer and get a first look at the Vanessa Williams led cast performing from the show!
Joel Harper-Jackson and Sierra Boggess Will Headline I AM HARVEY MILK at Cadogan Hall Photo
Joel Harper-Jackson and Sierra Boggess Will Headline I AM HARVEY MILK at Cadogan Hall

I AM HARVEY MILK, based on the life of American LGBTQ+ activist, will see the West End’s Joel Harper-Jackson and Broadway’s Sierra Boggess lead a 50 strong choir and 26-piece orchestra for two special performances of Andrew Lippa’s oratorio at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 27 October 2024. 
Broadway Streaming Guide: October 2024 - Where to Watch HEARTSTOPPER, Rachel Bloom's Photo
Broadway Streaming Guide: October 2024 - Where to Watch HEARTSTOPPER, Rachel Bloom's Special & More

As we dive into October, Broadway fans have plenty of new movies, shows, and music to look forward to! Check out what's coming to streaming this month, including a new season of Heartstopper, the filmed recording of Rachel Bloom's Off-Broadway show, and Ariana DeBose as an anxious chef in Prime Video's House of Spoils.
Vanessa Williams Joins Cast of Season 2 of ELSBETH Photo
Vanessa Williams Joins Cast of Season 2 of ELSBETH

Broadway favorite Vanessa Williams is set to appear as a guest star in Season 2 of the series, playing the jewelry-obsessed character of Roselyn.
Video: Vanessa Williams Releases Music Video for 'iLike Moonlight' Photo
Video: Vanessa Williams Releases Music Video for 'iLike Moonlight'

The Devil Wears Prada star Vanessa Williams has just dropped a new music video for her recent single iLike Moonlight. The single was included on her new album Survivor, released last month. Watch the video now!
Alicia Keys & More to be Honored at Black Theatre United 2024 Gala Photo
Alicia Keys & More to be Honored at Black Theatre United 2024 Gala

Black Theatre United has unveiled details for the auction at the 2024 Gala, 'Generations of Excellence'. Learn more!
YoungArts Unveils 2024-2025 Fellows Photo
YoungArts Unveils 2024-2025 Fellows

YoungArts revealed the 2024-2025 Fellows, recognizing emerging artists in various disciplines. Learn more.
Living Legends Foundation to Honor Filmmaker, TV Producer and Former Record Label Pre Photo
Living Legends Foundation to Honor Filmmaker, TV Producer and Former Record Label President Ed Eckstine

The Living Legends Foundation announced Ed Eckstine as the 2024 Ray Harris Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The awards dinner and gala will be held on October 4, 2024, at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA.
Photos: A WONDERFUL WORLD Cast Parades to Studio 54 Photo
Photos: A WONDERFUL WORLD Cast Parades to Studio 54

A special event was held yesterday, September 5, to celebrate the box office opening for A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. Check out photos here!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Vanessa Williams been in?

Vanessa Williams has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Vanessa Williams been in?

Vanessa Williams has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Vanessa Williams's first West End show?

Vanessa Williams's first West End show was City of Angels which opened in 2020

What awards has Vanessa Williams been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods.

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