Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams

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Biography

Vanessa Williams (born Vanessa Lynn Williams, 18.3.1963)

Vanessa Williams is an American singer-songwriter and actress. In 1983, Williams became the first African American woman to win the Miss America beauty pageant.

Vanessa Williams: Childhood

Vanessa Williams was born in the Tarrytown area of New York. Her mother and father, Helen and Milton Augustine Williams Jr. were both music teachers. Her brother, Chris Williams, grew up to be an actor. The two siblings were raised in the middle-class area of Millwood, New York.

As a child, Vanessa Williams studied French horn and piano and also enjoyed singing. She earned herself a scholarship to Syracuse University, studying for a major on Theatre Arts. She left the university when she won the Miss America contest, so that she could fulfill her role as the winner. She did, however, achieve a graduation certificate from the university 25 years later when she earned her remaining credits from her Tony-award winning Broadway shows.

Vanessa Williams: Beauty Pageants

Vanessa Williams first started entering beauty pageants in the 1980s. In 1983, she won Miss New York and in September that year, she was crowned Miss America 1984 and became the first African American woman to win the title. Williams received death threats and racial abuse prior to winning the title and 10 months into her reign, she received an anonymous phone call threatening to publish some nude photographs that had been taken of her before she won the title. Hugh Hefner refused to publish the pictures in Playboy on the grounds that they had not been authorised for release and did not want to embarrass Williams any further. However, Bob Guccione, the editor of Penthouse paid for the rights to the photos, regardless of Williams' wishes. As a result, Williams was stripped of her Miss America title.

Vanessa Williams: Music Career

In 1988, Vanessa Williams released her debut album, The Right Stuff. The lead single, of the same name, was a success on the US R&B charts. The second single was '(He's Got) The Look' and the third, 'Dreamin'', was Williams' first Top 10 hit on the mainstream Hot 100 chart. The album reached gold status and she won three Grammy Awards, including the Best New Artist Grammy.

Williams' second album, The Comfort Zone featured the hit single 'Running Back To You'. The next three singles, 'Just For Tonight', 'Work To Do' and 'Freedom Dance (Get Free!)' also performed well. Her biggest hit single to date, though, was 'Save The Best For Last' The single reached number one in the US singles charts and reached the top five in Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. The Comfort Zone sold over 2 million copies in the US alone.

The third album from Vanessa Williams, released in 1994, was The Sweetest Days, which was a blend of jazz, hip-hop and Latin. It featured the tracks 'Betcha Never' and 'You Can't Run' which were written and produced by Babyface. The album was nominated for two Grammy awards.

In 1997, Williams released Next, and Everlasting Love in 2005.

Williams also released two Christmas albums. The first, Star Bright, was released in 1996 and the second, Silver and Gold, was released in 2004.

In 2009, Vanessa Williams announced a new album, to be released in June 2009, who is now signed to Concord Records.

Vanessa Williams: Acting Career

In 1994, Vanessa Williams was cast in a Broadway production of Kiss of the Spider Woman. She then appeared in a revival of Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim.

Williams has also landed roles in a number of feature films, with the most prominent being 1997's Soul Food. She also starred in the 1991 underground hit, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. She went on to star opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Eraser and opposite Chayanne in Dance With Me. In 2009, Williams featured in the Hannah Montana film, alongside Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana: The Movie.

A pivotal role for Williams was her performance as Wilhelmina Slater in the ABC comedy Ugly Betty, which is produced by Salma Hayek.

Vanessa Williams: Personal Life

Vanessa Williams' first marriage was to Ramon Hervey II, who was her manager at the time. They were married from 1987-97 and have three children together. Her second marriage was to Rick Fox, the ex basketball player. They eloped and married in 1999 and have one daughter together. They divorced in 2005.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

When Marnie Was There Review

Very Good

Japan's Studio Gibli has been responsible for some of the finest animated movies in recent decades, from 2003's Oscar-winning Spirited Away to last year's beautiful The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Now adapted by Disney with a starry Western voice cast, their films are reaching a wider audience. And this remarkably moving drama shows how complex an animated movie should be, skilfully grappling with grown-up themes through a child's perspective.

The story comes from the Joan G. Robinson novel about Anna (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld in the English-language version), a 12-year-old who lives in Sapporo with her foster mother Yoriko (Geena Davis). But Anna isn't like the other giggly girls at school, and after an asthma attack, she moves to the countryside to live with Aunt Setsu and Uncle Kiyomasa (Grey Griffin and John C. Reilly). They give her plenty of space to explore the area, and when she spots an abandoned seaside mansion, she is unexpectedly drawn to it, befriending Marnie (Kiernan Skipka), the free-spirited girl who lives there. Anna understands that Marnie is an imaginary friend, then is surprised to find Marnie's diary hidden behind a bookshelf in the rambling house.

The twisty plot incorporates a range of elements that keep the audience off-balance: Is this a ghost story? Is Anna mentally unstable because of her difficult background? But the film is much deeper than that, and as Anna takes a fiercely original journey to self-discovery, the film touches on all kinds of resonant themes. For example, Anna struggles with her self-image, never believing that she's a talented artist, although she clearly is. This has left her feeling like no one else likes her either. So it's both fascinating and moving to watch her blossoming relationships with both the young girl Sayaka (Ava Acres) and the older woman Hisako (Vanessa Williams) who paints by the seaside. Both offer emotional insight into Anna's story.

Continue reading: When Marnie Was There Review

When Marnie Was There Trailer


From the legendary Academy Award-winning animation house Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Arrietty, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya), comes the haunting and touching tale When Marnie Was There. A beautiful story about ever-lasting friendship based on the beloved young adult novel of the same name by Joan G. Robinson. When Marnie Was There is another superb addition to Ghibli's well-loved catalogue, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature this year.

Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell, On The Pageant Executives’ Apology To Vanessa Williams.


Vanessa Williams

Betty Cantrell, the recently crowned Miss America 2016, is “thrilled” Vanessa Williams is back in the Miss America fold. Williams, the model and actress best known for her role as Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty, received an apology from representatives of the Miss America pageant at this year’s ceremony on Sunday (13th September). The apology comes 32 years after Williams was forced to resign her Miss America crown.

Betty CantrellMiss America 2016, Betty Cantrell, at the ceremonial toe-dip on the beach in front of Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City in September 2015.

Read More: Nina Davulury On The Why, What And What Now Of Being Miss America 2015.

Continue reading: Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell, On The Pageant Executives’ Apology To Vanessa Williams.

Vanessa Williams - Robi Reed's 13th Annual Sunshine Beyond Summer - Red Carpet Arrivals at Private Estate - Woodland Hills, California, United States - Sunday 13th September 2015

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams Finally Receives An Apology From Miss America Pageant


Vanessa Williams Miss America

Vanessa Williams returned to the Miss America pageant on Sunday (September 14th) as a guest judge, over 30 years after she resigned her crown following the publication of nude photographs in Penthouse magazine. At the ceremony, Williams received an official apology from pageant chairman Sam Haskell for the way she was treated by the organisation back in 1984.

Vanessa WilliamsVanessa Williams returned to the Miss America pageant on Sunday (September 14th).

“I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years,” Haskell said after Williams had finished her performance of ‘How the Years Go By”. “You have lived your life in grace and dignity and never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned.”

Continue reading: Vanessa Williams Finally Receives An Apology From Miss America Pageant

Actress Vanessa Williams Confirms Engagement To Jim Skrip


Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams is going to become a married woman for a third time! The former model and actress is set to tie the knot with her boyfriend of nearly two years Jim Skrip, a retired accountant from Buffalo, and she couldn't wait to announce the happy news.

Vanessa Williams
Williams annouced the exciting news on 'The Queen Latifah Show'

On Friday (26th September) Williams appeared on a taping of The Queen Latifah Show to promote the Broadway play she currently features in, 'The Trip to Bountiful,' but discussing her new starring role was overshadowed by her dazzling engagement ring.

Continue reading: Actress Vanessa Williams Confirms Engagement To Jim Skrip

Vanessa Williams Is Engaged! Williams Reveals "Blessings" On 'The Queen Latifah Show'


Vanessa Williams Queen Latifah Rick Fox

Vanessa Williams is engaged to Jim Skrip! The former model and actress revealed her happy news on Friday (26th September) during a taping for The Queen Latifah Show.

Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams is engaged!

Read More: Lead Film Roles That Could Have Looked Very Different.

Continue reading: Vanessa Williams Is Engaged! Williams Reveals "Blessings" On 'The Queen Latifah Show'

Vanessa Williams - 66th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live - Arrivals - Los Angeles, California, United States - Monday 25th August 2014

Vanessa Williams

Lead Film Roles That Could Have Looked Very Different


Robert Downey Jr Tom Cruise Halle Berry Vanessa Williams Daniel Day Lewis Liam Neeson Christian Bale Henry Cavill

With Robert Downey Jr fitting so perfectly as likeable irritant Tony Stark, Christian Bale slipping so easily into the tortured billionaire psyche of Bruce Wayne and Daniel Day-Lewis transforming himself into the epitome of Abraham Lincoln, it's hard to believe that for all of the above roles, there were some serious previous contenders. But contenders there were and some of the not entirely savoury.

Tom Cruise as Iron Man

The pint-sized action hero made it his mission impossible to kick ass as IMF agent, Ethan Hunt, but could he have romanced Pepper Potts in quite the same way as Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man? It seems like we very nearly found out with Cruise at one point in serious contention to play the arrogant but entertaining genius.

Continue reading: Lead Film Roles That Could Have Looked Very Different

Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor Trailer


While Judith may not have the natural credibility for her job as a marriage counsellor, having only ever experienced male affection from her husband of six years (partner for nearly twenty), she works at a highly well respected practice with a clientele of mainly well-off people, with dreams of setting up her own private business. One day she finds herself familiar with one of her new clients, whom she happens to see often while out jogging. In spite of herself, she finds herself unable to resist his charms, as her own domestic life slowly begins to fail. While she initially believes him to be an escape, it soon becomes clear that he is abusive and controlling, and pretty soon she's going to have to tell her husband her heartbreaking secret before anymore damage can be done. Can this marriage expert save her own relationship? Or is it too late even for her?

'Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor' is an ironic tale of how love and lust can engulf even the most moral of people. It's the thirteenth film from director, writer and producer Tyler Perry ('I Can Do Bad All by Myself', 'Why Did I Get Married?') and was released in March 2013.

Director: Tyler Perry

Continue: Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor Trailer

Kim Kardashian Flexes Acting Muscles In Trailer For New Tyler Perry Movie


Kim Kardashian Tyler Perry Vanessa Williams

Kim Kardashian must really be sick of people asking her what she's famous for because she has actually been doing what can only be described as work (in a sense) over the past few months.

Now, her latest professional turn sees her in front of the camera and actually acting (well...) rather than whatever she normally does when she's being filmed. Clearly, this is big news.

The new trailer for Tyler Perry's next movie, Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Councillor, shows Kim K in the role of Ava, a sassy matchmaker, who in the trailer is seen disparaging a co-worker's fashion sense since it’s not representative of their business - I wonder where they came up with that character development? As well as talking about clothes, Kim's character also dates rich men, but then again did anyone really expect to see her as Lady MacBeth in her first role?

Continue reading: Kim Kardashian Flexes Acting Muscles In Trailer For New Tyler Perry Movie

Vanessa Williams Monday 18th June 2012 Vanessa Williams posted this picture to her twitter with the caption: “El Gouna lagoon. @sashafoxyy driving the boat uh oh...”

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams and Cindy Crawford - Vanessa Williams and Cindy Crawford Thursday 3rd May 2012 attend the IPA Dinner honoring Brian Edwards

Vanessa Williams and Cindy Crawford

Vanessa Williams - Sunday 21st September 2008 at Emmy Awards Los Angeles, California

Vanessa Williams

Light It Up Review


Weak

There is not a single original thought in "Light It Up," a ghetto-transplanted, hostage-situation "Breakfast Club" in which a mathematically diverse group of teenagers are trapped in their high school, keeping a lone authority figure under siege in the name of getting a little respect.

Written and directed by "Black Rain"-scripter Craig Bolotin, it pilfers its urban angst high school air from "Lean On Me," "187" and other good kids-bad school movies. Its paint-by-numbers plot points are lifted from hostage flicks like "Dog Day Afternoon" and "The Negotiator."

The plot: After a scuffle that ends with the on-campus cop (Forest Whitaker) getting shot in the leg, six students take over the school, holding the cop hostage and demanding improvements to their learning environment like books for every student and window repairs.

Continue reading: Light It Up Review

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams Quick Links

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Vanessa Williams

Date of birth

18th March, 1963

Occupation

Actor

Sex

Female

Height

1.68




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Vanessa Williams Movies

When Marnie Was There Movie Review

When Marnie Was There Movie Review

Japan's Studio Gibli has been responsible for some of the finest animated movies in recent...

When Marnie Was There Trailer

When Marnie Was There Trailer

From the legendary Academy Award-winning animation house Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Arrietty, The Tale of...

Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor Trailer

Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor Trailer

While Judith may not have the natural credibility for her job as a marriage counsellor,...

Hannah Montana The Movie Trailer

Hannah Montana The Movie Trailer

Watch the trailer for Hannah Montana The MovieHannah Montana has had the feature film treatment....

Light It Up Movie Review

Light It Up Movie Review

There is not a single original thought in "Light It Up," a ghetto-transplanted, hostage-situation "Breakfast...

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