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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

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STAGE CREDITS

The Devil Wears Prada The Devil Wears Prada
[West End]
2024
Miranda Priestly
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
After Midnight After Midnight
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Special Guest Star [Replacement]
[Replacement]
The Trip to Bountiful The Trip to Bountiful
[Broadway]
2013
Performer
Sondheim on Sondheim Sondheim on Sondheim
[Broadway]
Roundabout Production, 2010
Into the Woods
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2002
Witch
Into the Woods
[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Revival (Pre-Broadway), 2002
Kiss of the Spider Woman
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1993
Spider Woman/Aurora [Replacement]
Spider Woman / Aurora [Replacement]
Spider Woman/Aurora [Replacement]
Spider Woman / Aurora [Replacement]
Mule Bone
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1991
Bootsie
Daisy (Understudy)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
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


GQ (Gentlemen's Quartet) Will Perform Classical-Pop Fusion Show at Feinstein's Photo
GQ (Gentlemen's Quartet) Will Perform Classical-Pop Fusion Show at Feinstein's
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026

GQ (Gentlemen's Quartet) will perform genre-blending arrangements at Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, IN. The four musicians have collectively performed over 10,000 shows alongside artists like Audra McDonald and Paul McCartney.
Video: Helen J. Shen is Anne Hathaway's New Assistant in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Clip Photo
Video: Helen J. Shen is Anne Hathaway's New Assistant in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Clip
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 16, 2026

Helen J. Shen is up to the challenge in a brand new clip from The Devil Wears Prada 2, playing intern-turned-assistant Jin. Watch the clip now, featuring the Maybe Happy Ending star.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 World Premiere to Live Stream on Disney+ and Hulu Photo
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 World Premiere to Live Stream on Disney+ and Hulu
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 13, 2026

Fans of high fashion will be able to tune in to the world premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 next week when it livestreams on Disney+ and Hulu. The star-studded event will take place on Monday, April 20, at Lincoln Center in New York City, with the livestream beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.
PADDINGTON, EVITA, INTO THE WOODS, and More Will Perform at the Olivier Awards 2026 Photo
PADDINGTON, EVITA, INTO THE WOODS, and More Will Perform at the Olivier Awards 2026
by Stephi Wild - Apr 7, 2026

Final details of the ceremony - including presenters and performances - have been announced ahead of the Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard, taking place this Sunday 12 April.
Video: Listen to New 'Runway' Song From Lady Gaga and Doechii in THE DEVIL WEARS PRAD Photo
Video: Listen to New 'Runway' Song From Lady Gaga and Doechii in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Final Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 6, 2026

Check out the final trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2, which features a new look at Helen J Shen in the movie and our first listen to 'Runway,' a new song from Lady Gaga and Doechii.
Video: Meryl Streep Shares THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Clip, Expresses Excitement for MAM Photo
Video: Meryl Streep Shares THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Clip, Expresses Excitement for MAMMA MIA 3 on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 2, 2026

The iconic Meryl Streep visited The Late Show on Wednesday to discuss the highly anticipated film The Devil Wears Prada 2, bringing along a new clip from the film. She also expressed interest in returning to the Mamma Mia! franchise. Watch her appearance now.
Vanessa Williams to Receive Distinguished Artist Award at Third Street Gala Photo
Vanessa Williams to Receive Distinguished Artist Award at Third Street Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2026

Third Street Music School Settlement will honor Vanessa Williams with the Distinguished Artist Award at its Spring Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, hosted by Michelle Buteau.
Celebrate the Many Musicals of Elton John Photo
Celebrate the Many Musicals of Elton John
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 25, 2026

It is the 79th birthday of music legend and theatre icon Elton John. In celebration of the big day, jam to this playlist featuring his theatre work along with his songs as featured in musicals.
Video: Ariana DeBose Sings 'No One In Alone' From INTO THE WOODS to Honor Vanessa Wil Photo
Video: Ariana DeBose Sings 'No One In Alone' From INTO THE WOODS to Honor Vanessa Williams
by Michael Major - Mar 25, 2026

Ariana DeBose performed 'No One Is Alone' from Into the Woods to honor Vanessa Williams at Signature Theatre's annual Gala, where she received the company’s fifteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Watch the video!
Feature: SONDHEIM AWARD GALA: Vanessa Williams Tenacity, Talent, and Artistry Photo
Feature: SONDHEIM AWARD GALA: Vanessa Williams Tenacity, Talent, and Artistry
by David Friscic - Mar 25, 2026

I have always been tantalized by the triple threat talent of Vanessa Williams. Ever since I sat with my family and saw her on television singing “Happy Days are Here Again” to become the first Miss America of color, she has become an artistic and cultural presence in my life. At pivotal moments of life experience, her recordings, television appearances, stage appearances, and concerts have become an integral part of my artistic consciousness. As a gay person, I instinctively sensed that she would understand me if she ever met me. Little did I know that she would meet me after a concert and pose for a great picture or that I would be writing this feature story on her well-deserved Signature Theatre Sondheim Award at the Sondheim Award Gala in Washington, DC. (held at The Anthem venue on March 16, 2026).
Video: Vanessa Williams Sings 'Children Will Listen' at Signature Theatre Gala Photo
Video: Vanessa Williams Sings 'Children Will Listen' at Signature Theatre Gala
by Gillian Blum - Mar 21, 2026

Vanessa Williams sang 'Children Will Listen' from INTO THE WOODS moments after accepting the 2026 Sondheim Award at Signature Theatre’s annual Gala, and you can watch the video here.
SIGNS OF LIFE Concert To Feature Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella, Damon Daunno & More At Photo
SIGNS OF LIFE Concert To Feature Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella, Damon Daunno & More At Jazz At Lincoln Center
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2026

SIGNS OF LIFE will be presented in concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center featuring Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella, and Damon Daunno. The one-night-only event showcases music from the new musical by Christopher DeLair.
Patti LuPone, Michael Urie & Erich Bergen Join ELSBETH as Season 3 Guest Stars Photo
Patti LuPone, Michael Urie & Erich Bergen Join ELSBETH as Season 3 Guest Stars
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 18, 2026

Patti LuPone, Michael Urie, and Erich Bergen are the latest Broadway alums set to appear as guest stars in the ongoing third season of the CBS series, Elsbeth.
Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella, Amber Iman and More to Join SIGNS OF LIFE Concert Photo
Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella, Amber Iman and More to Join SIGNS OF LIFE Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2026

Astro Lab Productions will present a one-night-only New York City event: Signs of Life, the concept album, live in concert, featuring Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella, Amber Iman and more.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: THE MUSICAL Extends West End Run Through February 2027 Photo
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: THE MUSICAL Extends West End Run Through February 2027
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 14, 2026

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: THE MUSICAL has extended its West End run at the Dominion Theatre. The production stars Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly and features music by Elton John. The show will continue performances in London through 2027.
Video: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Drops New Teaser; Tickets Now on Sale Photo
Video: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Drops New Teaser; Tickets Now on Sale
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 12, 2026

Miranda puts the pressure on Andy in a new teaser for The Devil Wears Prada 2, featuring the return of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci as their iconic characters. Check it out now.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 27, 2026- Megan Thee Stallion to Join MOULIN ROUG Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 27, 2026- Megan Thee Stallion to Join MOULIN ROUGE! and More
by - Feb 27, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 27, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: Michael Urie Visits Vanessa Williams at 54 Below Photo
Photos: Michael Urie Visits Vanessa Williams at 54 Below
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 26, 2026

Michael Urie recently paid a visit to Vanessa Williams during her performance at 54 Below earlier this month. Check out photos of the pair and learn more here!
Video: Hamish Linklater Guest Stars as Biohacker in New ELSBETH Sneak Peek Clip Photo
Video: Hamish Linklater Guest Stars as Biohacker in New ELSBETH Sneak Peek Clip
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 25, 2026

Hamish Linklater guest stars as a wealthy biohacker in the new episode of Elsbeth, debuting on Thursday. In a sneak peek clip from the episode, the Broadway alum receives a visit from Elsbeth, who has a few questions following the untimely death of his friend. Check it out now.
Ariana DeBose and Solea Pfeiffer to Honor Vanessa Williams at Signature Theatre Gala Photo
Ariana DeBose and Solea Pfeiffer to Honor Vanessa Williams at Signature Theatre Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 24, 2026

Virginia’s Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Vanessa Williams with the company’s fifteenth Stephen Sondheim Award.
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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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