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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

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News


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2025 Virginia Thespian Festival to Produce Stan Zimmerman's RIGHT BEFORE I GO

The 2025 Virginia Thespian Festival will produce Stan Zimmerman's suicide awareness play, Right Before I Go., as part of their All-State Experience. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical Extends Booking Photo
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical Extends Booking

The new musical The Devil Wears Prada has released a new block of tickets as the show extends to 18 October 2025. The show has now officially opened at the Dominion Theatre in the West End.
Review Roundup: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Opens in London Photo
Review Roundup: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Opens in London

The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel, has strutted into London’s Dominion Theatre. What did the critics think?
Review: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, Dominion Theatre Photo
Review: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, Dominion Theatre

The Devil Wears Prada may be the most hyped musical of the year. With a stellar cast, incredible clothes and none other than Sir Elton John at the helm of the music. The publicity tells us to 'gird our loins.', but after seeing this thin and rather flat show, the question is: for what?
Video: Vanessa Williams and More in New Trailer For THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Photo
Video: Vanessa Williams and More in New Trailer For THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

The Devil Wears Prada The Musical has released an all new trailer! The trailer features Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly alongside the full cast. Watch the video here!
Photos: Elton John and More at THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Gala For World AIDS Day Photo
Photos: Elton John and More at THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Gala For World AIDS Day

On Sunday 01 December 2024, a special gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, was presented on World AIDS Day, at the Dominion Theatre, in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Check out photos from the event here!
Photos: Vanessa Williams and More in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Photo
Photos: Vanessa Williams and More in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Ahead of the show’s opening, this December at the Dominion Theatre, The Devil Wears Prada The Musical has released all new production photos. Check out the photos here!
Matthew Broderick to Guest Star on ELSBETH with Son James Wilkie Broderick Photo
Matthew Broderick to Guest Star on ELSBETH with Son James Wilkie Broderick

Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick is set to appear as a special guest star in a 2025 episode of CBS crime drama Elsbeth. The Producers star will be joined onscreen by James Wilkie Broderick, Matthew's son, in what will be their first joint television appearance. 
STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, and OLIVER! Set For Royal Variety Performan Photo
STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, and OLIVER! Set For Royal Variety Performance

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr will host the Royal Variety Performance, which will be held on Friday, 22nd November at the Royal Albert Hall, in the presence of Their Majesties The King and Queen. Learn more about the lineup here!
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.
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Interview: 'We've Really Figured Her Out': Performer Amy Di Bartolomeo on Her Dream Role of Emily in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Recently, we had the chance to speak with Amy Di Bartolomeo, who plays Emily Charlton, Miranda’s first assistant. We discussed how she first got started in the world of theatre, the world of The Devil Wears Prada and even what it has been like to contribute to this new version of Emily on the stage!
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.
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“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

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Video: Look at Back at a Tribute to Jason Robert Brown at MCC MISCAST24

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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.
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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