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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 Videos

News


Video: Watch Rachel Zegler Sing 'Who I'd Be' From SHREK at MCC MISCAST23 Photo
Video: Watch Rachel Zegler Sing 'Who I'd Be' From SHREK at MCC MISCAST23
by Michael Major - Mar 24, 2025

Watch Rachel Zegler sing 'Who I'd Be' from the Shrek the Musical at MCC Theater's MISCAST. The Snow White star performed the song at the 2023 benefit concert. See the video!
Vanessa Williams Extends Run as Miranda Priestly in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Photo
Vanessa Williams Extends Run as Miranda Priestly in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
by Stephi Wild - Mar 20, 2025

Vanessa Williams will continue to guard the gates of the fashion empire at the Dominion Theatre, playing Miranda Priestly, until 18 October 2025. Learn more here!
LaChanze, Vanessa Williams and More to Join BTU's THE BUSINESS OF SHOW Series Photo
LaChanze, Vanessa Williams and More to Join BTU's THE BUSINESS OF SHOW Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

Black Theatre United will present the next installment of The Business of Show Series: Producing 101. Learn more about the series and see how to tune in!
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Perform 'Edelweiss' From MCC MISCAST24 Photo
Video: Watch Lea Salonga Perform 'Edelweiss' From MCC MISCAST24
by Michael Major - Mar 10, 2025

Watch a video of Lea Salonga sing 'Edelweiss' from the musical The Sound of Music at MCC Theater's MISCAST24. Miscast features stars of stage and screen who take the stage to perform songs from roles in which they would not traditionally be cast.
Norm Lewis Will Lead CEREMONIES IN DARK OLD MEN Off-Broadway Photo
Norm Lewis Will Lead CEREMONIES IN DARK OLD MEN Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2025

Norm Lewis will return to the stage in a new production of Lonnie Elder III's Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, directed by Clinton Turner Davis. Learn more about the show here!
Comprehensive Guide to Broadway Actors in CBS's Hit Series ELSBETH Photo
Comprehensive Guide to Broadway Actors in CBS's Hit Series ELSBETH
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 24, 2025

With more than twenty episodes having aired so far across its two seasons, BroadwayWorld has put together an exhaustive list of all the Broadway stars we could find who have appeared in CBS' Elsbeth.
Norm Lewis Comes to The Wick Theatre in March Photo
Norm Lewis Comes to The Wick Theatre in March
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton will bring the baritone voice of Norm Lewis to their stage. In his one-man show, Lewis will present a revue of songs hand-picked from his impressive resumé of leading man roles.
Mary-Louise Parker and David Alan Grier Join ELSBETH Season 2 as Guest Stars Photo
Mary-Louise Parker and David Alan Grier Join ELSBETH Season 2 as Guest Stars
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 18, 2025

Tony winners Mary-Louise Parker and David Alan Grier are the latest performers to guest star in the CBS crime series, joining an ever-growing list of Broadway alums.
Video: Vanessa Williams Sings 'A Lot of Livin' to Do' From BYE BYE BIRDIE at MISCAST Photo
Video: Vanessa Williams Sings 'A Lot of Livin' to Do' From BYE BYE BIRDIE at MISCAST
by Michael Major - Feb 17, 2025

Watch a video of Vanessa Williams singing 'A Lot of Livin' to Do' from Bye Bye Birdie at MCC Theater's MISCAST24. Williams starred in a 1995 film adaptation of the classic musical as Rose Alvarez.
Adrienne Warren and More to be Honored at WP Gala Hosted by Betsy Wolfe Photo
Adrienne Warren and More to be Honored at WP Gala Hosted by Betsy Wolfe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 12, 2025

WP Theater has revealed the honorees of its 2025 Annual Gala, celebrating extraordinary achievement by Women+ artists and industry leaders, including Adrienne Warren and more. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Michael Urie and Becki Newton Launch New UGLY BETTY Rewatch Podcast STILL UGLY Photo
Michael Urie and Becki Newton Launch New UGLY BETTY Rewatch Podcast STILL UGLY
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 6, 2025

18 years after the debut of ABC's Ugly Betty, co-stars and best friends Michael Urie and Becki Newton are launching an Ugly Betty rewatch video podcast titled Still Ugly, which will premiere in February.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Extends Run in the West End Photo
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Extends Run in the West End
by Stephi Wild - Feb 3, 2025

The Devil Wears Prada will extend its run once again at the Dominion Theatre, with tickets on sale through 3 January 2026. Learn more about the show here!
Breaking Down the Different Stephen Sondheim Revues Photo
Breaking Down the Different Stephen Sondheim Revues
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 2, 2025

This time, the reader question was: Other than Old Friends, what are the other Sondheim revues and what makes them different? This marks the theatre world’s fifth major Sondheim revue and the first since the theatre legend passed away in 2021. 
Video: Watch Lauren Patten Sing 'One Song Glory' From RENT at MCC MISCAST24 Photo
Video: Watch Lauren Patten Sing 'One Song Glory' From RENT at MCC MISCAST24
by Michael Major - Jan 27, 2025

Watch a video of Lauren Patten singing 'One Song Glory' from the musical RENT at MCC Theater's MISCAST24. Miscast features stars of stage and screen who take the stage to perform songs from roles in which they would not traditionally be cast.
A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL Announces Broadway Closing Date Photo
A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL Announces Broadway Closing Date
by Joshua Wright - Jan 26, 2025

A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, February 23, 2025. At the time of closing, the production will have played 151 performances, including 31 previews.
Stefanie Michaela Releases New Single 'Found in You' Photo
Stefanie Michaela Releases New Single 'Found in You'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 23, 2025

After taking a pause from her music career to raise her five children, Stefanie Michaela has made a heartfelt return with her new single, 'Found in You.' Learn more about the new single.
Tracey Ullman and Jordana Brewster Join ELSBETH Season 2 as Guest Stars Photo
Tracey Ullman and Jordana Brewster Join ELSBETH Season 2 as Guest Stars
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 17, 2025

Tracey Ullman and Jordana Brewster are both set to appear as guest stars in Season 2 of the CBS crime drama. The guest star generally serves as the murderer in the episode, with the audience following along with attorney Elsbeth Tascioni as she attempts to solve the case.
Photos: A WONDERFUL WORLD Honors Vanessa Williams' Late Mother With New Orleans-Style Photo
Photos: A WONDERFUL WORLD Honors Vanessa Williams' Late Mother With New Orleans-Style Celebration
by Bruce Glikas - Jan 15, 2025

A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical recently celebrated the life of producer Vanessa Williams' late mother, Helen Williams, with a traditional New Orleans-style Second Line parade. Check out photos here!
Video: Watch Joy Woods Sing 'I Could Have Danced All Night' at MCC MISCAST Photo
Video: Watch Joy Woods Sing 'I Could Have Danced All Night' at MCC MISCAST
by Michael Major - Jan 13, 2025

Watch Joy Woods sing 'I Could Have Danced All Night' from My Fair Lady at MCC Theater's MISCAST in 2023. See a video of the Gypsy star perform the classic musical theatre song now!
Vanessa Williams Will Take Break From THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Following Her Mother's Pa Photo
Vanessa Williams Will Take Break From THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Following Her Mother's Passing
by Stephi Wild - Jan 3, 2025

Vanessa Williams will take a break from The Devil Wears Prada following the passing of her mother. Debbie Kurup will take over the role of Miranda Priestly in Williams' absence.
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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