Vanessa Lynn Williams must be credited with making one of the most startling and unexpected comebacks in show business history. Born to teacher parents in New York City, Vanessa and her brother grew up in suburban New York in comfortable surroundings. Vanessa sang and danced in school productions and signed her high school yearbook with a promise to "see you on Broadway." After winning a performing scholarship to Syracuse University, she left school and tried to make it in New York show business. She began entering beauty contests in 1984, eventually winning Miss New York and then becoming the first African-American Miss America. During her reign, some nude girl-girl photos taken while she was in New York surfaced in Penthouse magazine. Although the photos were taken before her beauty contest victories, she was forced to resign her crown. Many predicted that her future in show business was over. She landed a recording contract and released several hit albums, including "The Comfort Zone" and "The Sweetest Days". After performing in television roles and music videos, she began appearing in films like Another You and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. She scored her first big hit film with the thriller Eraser co-starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger and followed it up with Soul Food and the remake of Shaft. She managed to keep her high school promise and performed on Broadway in the musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman", a musical based on the Academy-Award winning film of the same name. As of this writing, she is one of the most beautiful and sought after performers around and she is in rehearsals to star in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical "Into The Woods". She continues to alternate between recording, the stage, films and television.
Was originally cast as Jane Toussaint in Spike Lee's School Daze, but was replaced by Tisha Campbell due to artistic differences. Parents, Milton & Helen Williams, were both music teachers. In 1981, she won a musical theatre scholarship to Syracuse University. However, she eventually lost those funds. That led to her entry in the Miss America pageant. Expecting her fourth child, and first with Rick Fox, in mid-2000. Grew up in Millwood, New York, USA Often confused with actress Vanessa Williams. Dropped out of Syracuse University to pursue Miss America crown; never finished degree. Former Miss America 1984, resigned after nude photos surfaced in Penthouse magazine. The centerfold model for that issue was 16-year-old Traci Lords. Because Ms. Lords was underage, it is illegal to own or trade that issue of the magazine, unless the centerfold pictorial is removed. Has three children: Melanie (b. 1987), Jillian (b. 1989), and Devin (b. 1993). Daughter, Sasha Gabriella Fox, born 1 May 2000 in NYC. Was the first black contestant in the hot seat on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Won a Sports Emmy for singing a song about quarterback Joe Montana during an opening sequence on ABC's Thursday Night Editions of Monday Night Football. Was nominated for Broadway's 2002 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for a revival of "Into The Woods." Spokesperson for Proactive Solution (Acne Medication). Attended New York's prestigious School of Performing Arts, the high school that was the setting for the movie and TV series Fame. Was introduced to husband Rick Fox by his then-girlfriend, model Tyra Banks. When his romance with Banks ended, Fox and Williams began dating. She and Rick Fox eloped to the Caribbean in the Summer of 1999, but promised family and friends they would re-tie the knot that Fall, which they did in a lavish ceremony at the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City, followed by a gala reception at the St. Regis Hotel. Has been doing commercials for Radio Shack since 2001 with Howie Long and Ving Rhames, and, since 2003, husband Rick Fox. She also does spots for Crest, and a late-night infomercial for skin care product, Proactive Solution. Measurements: 34B/C-24-34 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine) Her runner-up, Suzette Charles, became the second African-American Miss America after her resignation. Is the sister of Chris Williams. Sang the National Anthem at Arnold Schwarzenegger's inauguration as Governor of California. (17 November 2003)