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Helen Williams

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Helen Williams BIO

Working as a stylist in a New York photographer's studio, Williams was discovered at age 17 by celebrity clients such as Lena Horne and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Her career began as an exclusive model for magazines such as Ebony and Jet. However, the discrimination she faced in the United States as an African-American led her to relocate to France in 1960, where she found success modeling for designers such as Christian Dior and Jean Dessès. She returned to the U.S. in 1961 and despite initial roadblocks went on to be the face of major ad campaigns by brands such as Budweiser and Sears. She was one of the first clients of Ophelia DeVore's Grace De Marco modeling agency.

Williams has been credited with helping to break down racial barriers in modeling. In 2004, she was the recipient of the Trailblazer Award by the Fashion & Arts Xchange organization at a ceremony at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.

Helen Williams STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1915
Performer

[Broadway]
1912
Chorus

[Broadway]
1912
Chorus


Helen Williams Videos

Helen Williams News


Video: Behind the Scenes of Vanessa Williams' New Music Video 'Legs (Keep Dancing)'


Stage and screen star Vanessa Williams will release new music this month! The first single, 'Legs (Keep Dancing)', is available to preorder and pre-save now. The official music video for the song will premiere on April 26th.

Video: Vanessa Williams Channels Miranda Priestley at THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Photoshoot


Vanessa Williams is channeling Miranda Priestley in an all new video! In the video, posted on the official social media platforms of the forthcoming The Devil Wears Prada musical, Williams is seen 'in character' during a photoshoot. Check out the fun video here!

James Monroe Iglehart Will Lead A WONDERFUL WORLD on Broadway


Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart will star as jazz legend and American icon Louis Armstrong in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical on Broadway in Fall 2024. We have all the details!

Vanessa Williams Will Play Miranda Priestly in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical


Vanessa Williams will take on the role of Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada musical, coming to London this year

Patti LuPone, Vanessa Williams & Joshua Henry to Perform at New York City Ballet's 2023 Fall Gala


Patti LuPone, Vanessa Williams and Joshua Henry will perform at the New York City Ballet's 2023 Fall Gala on Thursday, October 5, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

MISCAST23 to Take Place in April, Honoring Vanessa Williams and Lianny Toval


MCC Theater has announced that Miscast23 will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Monday April 3, 2023. The evening will honor Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams and MCC Youth Company alumna Lianny Toval.

Vanessa Williams' Penthouse Magazine Scandal to Be Adapted Into Series With Neil Meron Producing


A new limited series following Vanessa Williams’ personal view about the scandal that forced her to resign her Miss America crown in 1984 is in the works. Sony Pictures have optioned the rights to her story with Neil Meron producing.

Vanessa Williams to Join SETH RUDETSKY'S BROADWAY at The Town Hall


The Town Hall & Mark Cortale will continue with the latest installment of the internationally acclaimed concert series Seth Rudetsky's Broadway, hosted and music directed by Sirius/XM Radio star Seth Rudetsky at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street). On Monday, June 20 at 8pm, Seth welcomes platinum recording artist and star of stage and screen Vanessa Williams.

Meet the Cast of POTUS on Broadway


Selina Fillinger's new Broadway comedy POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, officially begins previews tonight, April 14. Meet the cast!

Selina Fillinger's POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE Will Open on Broadway This Spring


Broadway’s uproarious new comedy about the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world, POTUS begins previews at the Shubert Theatre on Thursday, April 14, 2022, with an official Opening Night of Monday, May 9, 2022, for a limited engagement through Sunday, August 14, 2022.

Photos: On the Red Carpet for Opening Night of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE on Broadway


The new Broadway production of the Tony Award nominated and Olivier Award-winning musical Caroline, or Change opened just last night, October 27, at Studio 54. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special event and you can check out photos from the star-studded red carpet arrivals.

FLACK Season 1 to Premiere on Amazon Prime Video


Amazon Studios announced today that Flack, starring Academy Award-winner Anna Paquin (The Piano, True Blood, X-Men) will premiere all six episodes of season one on January 22, 2021 on Prime Video in the US and Canada. Season two will premiere at a later date in 2021. The new key art for season one is available now.

Northlight Presents Vanessa Williams


Northlight Theatre is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations participating in a three-part virtual concert series, Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway. The final concert is critically acclaimed actress and singer Vanessa Williams on December 5 at 7:00 p.m. Central.  Previously, Northlight presented two-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone on October 24 and Tony Award winner Laura Benanti on November 14.

Gretna Theatre to Stream Vanessa Williams in Concert Live To Your Home!


Gretna Theatre announced today that it is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations in the country (one of only two in Pennsylvania) presenting critically acclaimed actress and singer Vanessa Williams in a special live streamed virtual concert, Live from the West Side, on December 5, 2020

THE FABULOUS INVALID Podcast Season Three Launches With Vanessa Williams


Broadway’s podcast, The Fabulous Invalid, has launched Season Three today with eleven-time Grammy Award nominated recording artist and Tony Award nominated star of stage and screen, Vanessa Williams.

Kravis Center to Offer to Offer Virtual Concerts by Women of Broadway: Laura Benanti and Vanessa Williams


The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will be participating in a two-part virtual concert series, Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway featuring Tony Award winner Laura Benanti on November 14, and critically acclaimed actress and singer Vanessa Williams on December 5. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, October 14 at 10 am.

Texas Performing Arts to Offer LIVE FROM THE WEST SIDE: WOMEN OF BROADWAY


Texas Performing Arts announced today that it will present Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway featuring two-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone on October 24, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti on November 14, and critically acclaimed actress and singer Vanessa Williams on December 5.

Marcus Performing Arts Center To Offer Virtual Concert Series LIVE FROM THE WEST SIDE: WOMEN OF BROADWAY


Marcus Performing Arts Center announced today that it is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations participating in a three-part virtual concert series, Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway featuring two-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone on October 24, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti on November 14, and critically acclaimed actress and singer Vanessa Williams on December 5. Tickets go on sale October 7 at Noon.

Playhouse Square to Offer Streaming Concert Series: LIVE FROM THE WEST SIDE �" WOMEN OF BROADWAY


Playhouse Square announced today that it is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations participating in a three-part streaming concert series, Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway featuring Patti LuPone on October 24, Laura Benanti on November 14, and Vanessa Williams on December 5.

Northlight Theatre to Offer WOMEN OF BROADWAY: Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti and Vanessa Williams


Northlight Theatre will offer Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway featuring two-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone on October 24, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti on November 14, and critically acclaimed actress and singer Vanessa Williams on December 5.

Helen Williams FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Helen Williams been in?

Helen Williams has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Helen Williams been in?

Helen Williams has not appeared in the West End.

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