Vanessa Lynn Williams is a multi-talented American entertainer known for her singing, acting, modeling, producing, and dancing skills. Her career was marked by a significant event when she became the first African-American woman to be crowned Miss America in 1984. However, her reign was cut short due to a controversy involving the publication of nude photographs in Penthouse magazine, leading to her resignation. Three decades later, the Miss America Organization formally apologized to Williams during the 2016 pageant for the events of 1984.
1935: Birth of Vanessa Williams' Father
Milton Augustine Williams Jr., Vanessa Williams' father, was born in 1935.
March 18, 1963: Vanessa Williams is Born
Vanessa Lynn Williams was born on March 18, 1963.
1981: Enrollment at Syracuse University
Vanessa Williams began her studies at Syracuse University in 1981, pursuing a degree in musical theater.
September 1983: Vanessa Williams Crowned Miss America 1984
Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America 1984 on September 17, 1983.
September 17, 1983: Crowned as the First African-American Miss America
Making history, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America on September 17, 1983, becoming the first African-American woman to hold the title.
1984: Crowned Miss America and Subsequent Resignation
In 1984, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America, becoming the first African-American woman to hold the title. However, her reign was cut short due to a controversy involving the unauthorized publication of nude photographs.
1984: The Love Boat Appearance
Vanessa Williams made her television debut in 1984 with an appearance on an episode of The Love Boat.
1984: Departure from Syracuse University
Williams' time at Syracuse University was interrupted in 1984 when she won the Miss America title.
1985: One Man Band Role
Vanessa Williams began her stage career in 1985 in the production, One Man Band, as one of "the women".
1987: First Marriage
Williams married Ramon Hervey II at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in 1987.
1988: Music Debut with "The Right Stuff"
Vanessa Williams launched her music career in 1988 with the release of her debut album, "The Right Stuff."
1989: "Dreamin'" Reaches Top 10
Vanessa Williams scored her first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Dreamin'" in 1989.
1989: Checkmates Role
Williams played the role of "Laura" in Checkmates in 1989.
1989: Breakthrough with "Dreamin'"
Williams' single "Dreamin'" from her debut album achieved mainstream success, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
October 5, 1991: "Running Back to You" Tops R&B Chart
Vanessa Williams' single "Running Back to You" reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on October 5, 1991.
1991: Release of "The Comfort Zone" Album
Vanessa Williams released her second studio album, "The Comfort Zone," in 1991, which featured hit singles like "Running Back to You."
1993: Performance at the Grammy Awards
Vanessa Williams delivered a memorable performance of her hit single "Save the Best for Last" at the 1993 Grammy Awards ceremony.
1994: Release of "The Sweetest Days" Album
Williams' third album, "The Sweetest Days," was released in 1994, showcasing her versatility with jazz, hip hop, and Latin influences.
1994: Essence Awards Host
Williams served as the host of the 1994 Essence Awards.
1994: Broadway Debut in "Kiss of the Spider Woman"
Vanessa Williams made her debut on Broadway in 1994, starring in the musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman."
1995: Bye Bye Birdie Role
In 1995, Williams starred as Rose Alvarez in a television adaptation of the 1960 Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie.
1996: National Anthem Performance at Super Bowl XXX
Vanessa Williams showcased her vocal talents to a global audience when she performed the national anthem at Super Bowl XXX in 1996.
1997: First Divorce
Williams and Hervey divorced in 1997.
1997: Soul Food Role
Williams portrayed Teri Joseph in the 1997 feature film Soul Food.
1997: The Odyssey Role
Williams portrayed the nymph Calypso in the 1997 Hallmark Entertainment miniseries The Odyssey.
1997: Release of "Next" Album
Williams' musical journey continued with the release of her album "Next" in 1997.
1998: St. Louis Woman Role
Williams portrayed Della Green in the revival of St. Louis Woman in 1998.
1998: NAACP Image Awards Host
Williams hosted the 1998 NAACP Image Awards.
1998: Release of Greatest Hits Compilation
A compilation of Vanessa Williams' greatest hits was released in 1998, showcasing her successful music career.
1999: Second Marriage
Williams married NBA basketball player Rick Fox in 1999.
2000: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Contestant
Williams appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2000 as a contestant.
2000: Shaft Reboot Role
Williams co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson in the 2000 soft reboot of Shaft.
2001: The Courage to Love Role
In 2001, Williams starred in the Lifetime film about the life of Henriette DeLille, The Courage to Love.
2002: Tony Award Nomination for "Into the Woods"
Her performance as The Witch in the 2002 revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods" earned Vanessa Williams a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.
2002: It's Black Entertainment Host
Williams hosted the 2002 documentary, It's Black Entertainment.
2002: Carmen Jones Role
Williams portrayed Carmen Jones in the 2002 Kennedy Center Special Performance of Carmen Jones.
2003: Unchained Memories Narration
In 2003, Williams read the narrative of Tempie Herndon Durham from the WPA slave narratives in the HBO documentary Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives.
2004: Release of Second Christmas Album "Silver & Gold"
Vanessa Williams graced her fans with another Christmas album, "Silver & Gold," in 2004.
2004: Second Divorce
Williams and Fox divorced in 2004.
2005: Release of "Everlasting Love" Album
In 2005, Vanessa Williams released her album "Everlasting Love."
2005: Release of "Everlasting Love" Album
Williams continued her musical journey with the release of her album "Everlasting Love" in 2005.
2006: Ugly Betty Role
In 2006, Williams began her role as Wilhelmina Slater in the ABC comedy series Ugly Betty.
2006: Passing of Vanessa Williams' Father
Milton Augustine Williams Jr., Vanessa Williams' father, passed away in 2006.
2006: Breakout Role in "Ugly Betty"
Vanessa Williams gained widespread recognition for her role as Wilhelmina Slater in the television series "Ugly Betty," which premiered in 2006.
March 19, 2007: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Williams received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 19, 2007.
2007: TV Land Awards Host
Williams hosted The 6th Annual TV Land Awards in 2007.
2007: My Brother Role
Williams starred in the independent film My Brother in 2007.
May 2008: Graduation from Syracuse University and Convocation Address
In May 2008, Vanessa Williams received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University, recognizing her industry experience and artistic achievements. She also delivered the convocation address to the graduating class.
2008: Emmy Nomination
Williams was nominated in the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series category for her role in Ugly Betty in 2008.
August 10, 2009: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Appearance
On August 10, 2009, Williams was a celebrity guest during Who Wants to Be a Millionaire's tenth anniversary prime-time special editions, winning $50,000 for her charity.
2009: Daytime Emmy Awards and Documentary Host
In 2009, Williams hosted the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards as well as the documentary Dreams Come True: A Celebration of Disney Animation.
2009: Release of "The Real Thing" Album
Vanessa Williams' album "The Real Thing" was released in 2009.
2009: Second Emmy Nomination
Williams received a second Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series category for her role in Ugly Betty.
2009: Release of "The Real Thing" Album
In 2009, Vanessa Williams released her album titled "The Real Thing."
2010: Sondheim on Sondheim Role
Vanessa Williams starred in a new Broadway musical revue entitled Sondheim on Sondheim in 2010.
2010: End of "Ugly Betty" and Start of "Desperate Housewives"
While 2010 marked the end of "Ugly Betty," Williams transitioned to another successful television role as Renee Perry in "Desperate Housewives."
2011: New Yorkers for Marriage Equality
Williams participated in the human rights campaign New Yorkers for Marriage Equality in 2011.
April 2012: You Have No Idea Publication
Williams and her mother Helen co-authored a memoir titled You Have No Idea, which was published in April 2012.
2012: M&M's Commercial
In 2012, Williams voiced the new character Ms. Brown, a brown M&M, in a Super Bowl XLVI commercial.
2012: Conclusion of "Desperate Housewives"
Vanessa Williams' run on "Desperate Housewives" concluded in 2012.
2013: Appearance in "The Trip to Bountiful"
Vanessa Williams starred in the revival of Horton Foote's "The Trip to Bountiful" in 2013.
2013: The Trip to Bountiful Role
Williams starred as Jessie Mae Watts in the Horton Foote play The Trip to Bountiful in 2013, which was later turned into a 2014 television film.
2014: After Midnight Role
Williams starred in the Broadway musical, After Midnight in 2014.
September 2015: Public Apology for the 1984 Scandal
In a significant gesture of reconciliation, former Miss America CEO Sam Haskell issued a public apology to Vanessa Williams in September 2015 for the events of 1984, acknowledging the pain and injustice she endured.
2015: Show Boat Role
Williams appeared in a PBS production of Show Boat as Julie La Verne in 2015.
2015: Third Marriage
Williams married Jim Skrip, a businessman from Buffalo, New York at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in 2015, after receiving a Church annulment of her first marriage.
March 2016: V. by Vanessa Williams Launch
Williams launched her own clothing line, V. by Vanessa Williams, for EVINE Live in March 2016.
2016: The Librarians Role
Williams joined the cast of The Librarians as recurring villainess General Rockwell in 2016.
2016: Public Apology from Miss America Organization
Thirty-two years after the scandal that led to her resignation, Vanessa Williams received a public apology from the Miss America Organization during the 2016 pageant.
December 2017: COAF Gala Performance
Vanessa Williams participated at the COAF Gala fundraising event in December 2017, delivering a special performance of her Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning song "Colors of the Wind" and paid tribute to Patricia Field.
2017: Daytime Divas Role
Williams starred as Maxine in the VH1 television series Daytime Divas during its one season in 2017.
April 2018: Announcement of New Album
In April 2018, Vanessa Williams announced that she was working on a new studio album, building anticipation among her fans.
2018: L'Oréal Spokesmodel
Williams returned as a spokesmodel for L'Oréal as part of their 'Age perfect' campaign alongside fellow ambassadors Helen Mirren, Julianne Moore, and Jane Fonda in 2018.
2020: RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Win
Williams won episode 2 of RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race in 2020, and donated her prize of $20,000 to the LGBTQ charity The Trevor Project.
April 14, 2022: POTUS Role
Vanessa Williams will star as Margaret in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive on Broadway, with performances beginning on April 14, 2022, at the Shubert Theatre.
2022: Role in "POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive"
In 2022, she was part of the ensemble cast in the political farce "POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive."
April 26, 2024: "Legs (Keep Dancing)" Release
On April 26, 2024, Vanessa Williams released her new single, "Legs (Keep Dancing)", which was the first single off her upcoming ninth studio album. She also launched her own record label, Mellian Music, for the release.