Who is gay icon Vanessa Williams from age to Miss America photo scandal

Vanessa Williams is the true definition of a triple threat, she can act, sing, and dance – and she looks amazing throughout.

The actress and singer has had a varied career with roles on screen and stage as well as chart topping hits.

Many will know her as the iconic Wilhelmina Slater from Ugly Betty and heard her song, “Save the Best for Last,” demonstrating what a powerhouse she is.

She’s also been a firm LGBTQ+ ally, fighting for equal rights and celebrating the queer community such as when she appeared as judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Here’s what we know about her.

Where is Vanessa Williams from?

The singer and actress is from Tarrytown, New York and grew up in Millwood. Growing up with both parents working as music teachers she was immersed in music and played the French horn as well as the piano and violin.

She went on to study musical theatre at Syracuse University in New York.

How old is she now?

At the time of writing Williams is 62.

When did she win Miss America?

Williams has stated she hadn’t intended on running for Miss America, but was scouted on her university campus for the Miss Greater Syracuse pageant.

She told NPR she won that in April 1983, before winning Miss New York in July and Miss America in September, becoming the first black woman to win the title.

As part of her candidacy she wowed audiences and judges with a rendition of “Happy Days Are Here Again” during the talent portion. She also told NPR she received death threats after winning while other candidates from her year had crosses burned into their front yards.

Why did she give up her title?

Williams was forced to resign her title in 1984 after naked photos of her with another female model, taken from before her time as Miss America, were published in Penthouse magazine.

The singer said she believed the photos to be private and had never given permission for them to be published anywhere.

She and her parents sued Penthouse but later dropped the lawsuit with Williams explaining in her memoir, You Have No Idea, that she didn’t want to go to court and reveal she’d been molested as a 10-year-old by an 18-year-old woman.

In 2016, Williams received a public apology from the Miss America pageant for having her resign in 1984.

What acting roles has Vanessa Williams had?

Williams is an Emmy-nominated actress, picking up the TV award nomination for her work on Ugly Betty, where she played the devilish fashion editor, Wilhelmina Slater.

She is also well known for her guest role on Desperate Housewives as well as starring in the TV adaptation of the 1960 Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie and numerous other roles.

On the stage, Williams received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in 2002 for playing The Witch in Into the Woods. Other productions she’s starred in include Kiss of the Spider Woman, Sondheim on Sondheim and After Midnight.

For the last two years she has been living her dream to perform on London’s West End in The Devil Wears Prada as Miranda Priestly.

What’s her biggest musical hit?

As well as being an accomplished actress, Williams is also a nine-time Grammy-nominated singer.

She released her debut album, The Right Stuff, in 1988 with the song “Dreamin'” being her first top 10 hit on the Billboard charts.

In 1991, she followed that up with her second album, The Comfort Zone, which featured her best known hit, “Save the Best for Last.” The song was a number one hit in the US, Australia, and Canada. In the UK it peaked at number three.

She has nine studio albums to her name currently, the most recent – Survivor – came out in 2024.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.