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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

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

More Videos

News


Best Cabaret in 2026: Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti & More Photo
Best Cabaret in 2026: Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jan 6, 2026

See some of the best can't-miss events of 2026 that will sell out weeks in advance. This roundup features some of the biggest stars working in musical theater and cabaret right now. Check out this list and get your tickets before it's too late.
Photos: On The Opening Night Red Carpet For TWO STRANGERS CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YOR Photo
Photos: On The Opening Night Red Carpet For TWO STRANGERS CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK
by Jennifer Broski - Nov 20, 2025

The new musical Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) celebrated its opening night on Broadway with a red carpet full of family, fans, friends, and supporters. Visit the red carpet in new photos!
Review: The Special Chemistry of Broadway at The Dutch Treat Club Photo
Review: The Special Chemistry of Broadway at The Dutch Treat Club
by Stephen Sorokoff - Nov 19, 2025

Andrew Gerle, Joseph Zelnick and Kirsti Carnahan were the special treat for the Dutch Treat Club's lunch/learn/entertain afternoon on November 18. See photos from the event centered around the PERIODIC TABLE OF BROADWAY MUSICALS.
Photos: New Cast Members in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Photo
Photos: New Cast Members in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025

After its first year in the West End, The Devil Wears Prada welcomed in new cast members this October with new production photos released today. Vanessa Williams also extended her run in the show. Check out the new photos here! 
Elizabeth Stanley to Perform at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Photo
Elizabeth Stanley to Perform at The Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025

Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Elizabeth Stanley (Jagged Little Pill, Company) will kick off the holiday season in style with “Let Your Heart Be Light” — a one-night-only concert at the intimate Laurie Beechman Theater.
Photos: Inside the Black Theatre United Gala 2025 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom Photo
Photos: Inside the Black Theatre United Gala 2025 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom
by Stephen Sorokoff - Sep 30, 2025

See photos from inside the Black Theatre United 2025 Gala. The evening was directed by (for the third year) by Jerry Dixon with musical direction by Joseph Joubert. 
New Cast Joins THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA; Vanessa Williams and Show Extend Run Photo
New Cast Joins THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA; Vanessa Williams and Show Extend Run
by Stephi Wild - Sep 30, 2025

After a first year in the West End, becoming the fastest selling show in the Dominion's history, The Devil Wears Prada will welcome in new runway-ready cast members this October, as the show announces another extension. Meet all of the new cast members.
Video: ELSBETH Season 3 Official Trailer Teases New Guest Stars Stephen Colbert, Anna Photo
Video: ELSBETH Season 3 Official Trailer Teases New Guest Stars Stephen Colbert, Annaleigh Ashford, & More
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 26, 2025

Our favorite detective is back! Ahead of the Season 3 premiere of Elsbeth, CBS has released an official trailer for the upcoming season, which is full of new guest stars, including a few Broadway faces. Check out the preview now.
Dianne Wiest and Lois Smith Join ELSBETH as Season 3 Guest Stars Photo
Dianne Wiest and Lois Smith Join ELSBETH as Season 3 Guest Stars
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 17, 2025

Broadway veterans Dianne Wiest and Lois Smith, along with Tony Hale, have joined the guest star lineup for Season 3 of Elsbeth. The CBS detective series, led by Carrie Preston, will return for its third season on October 12, 2025.
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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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