Vanessa Williams: The Appreciation Thread

Vanessa Williams is the embodiment of the term, 'triple threat'. Having excelled in multiple fields of entertainment, her talents as a singer, actress and dancer have parlayed into great success in music, film, television and on the stage. Get into it and enjoy!

Vanessa first gained the attention of the public eye with her iconic win as the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America in 1984.

Vanessa was a 20 year old junior studying Musical Theater at Syracuse University in 1983 when she represented New York in the Miss America Pageant. She won the "Preliminary Swimsuit" and "Preliminary Talent" (video for that in next tweet).

Vanessa and her winning vocal performance of 'Happy Days Here We Go Again'. I swear, it seems like she did not blink during this performance, lol.

At the end of the night, Vanessa became the first African-American woman to win the Miss America pageant. A historic moment.

As the new Miss America, she went on a nation-wide tour and made several appearances on TV. Here she interviewed by Bill Boggs in 1983.

•In July 1984 (just six weeks till the end of her reign), Vanessa learned that nude photos a she took prior to her engagement pageant were being shopped around to several adult magazines. Penthouse Magazine agreed to publish the photos and a mess ensued.

The Pageant Organization gave her 72 hours to resign or have her stripped of the crown. Vanessa officially resigned on the 24th of July, 1984. The first and only resignation in the pageant's 92 year history. Since she didn't sign a release for the photos, she sued the magazine.

The scandal resulted in Vanessa and her family becoming targets for racist hate mail, graffiti and even death threats.

In 1988, four years after the nude photo scandal, Vanessa was married to her first husband, Ramon Hervey II and raising their first child together, Melanie. She also released her debut album, 'The Right Stuff'.

The title-track was released as the first single and its stylishly choreographed video established Vanessa as one of the new dance divas of the 80s music scene alongside Janet Jackson and Jody Watley. The song peaked at #4 and 44 on the R&B Charts Hot 100 respectively.

Of course, there were people who doubted her legitimacy as a musical talent due to her pageant background and the controversy that cut her reign short. This interviewer for instance, was PANINI PRESSED but she handled the incessant questions about the scandal with class.

Second single, 'Dreamin' was her first major hit as it topped the R&B charts and hit #8 on the Hot 100 in 1988. She was really beautiful here.

The album sold respectably (certified Gold) and the success of its singles were enough to snag Vanessa three nominations at the 1989 GRAMMYs including Best New Artist. She was up against Tracy Chapman (who won), Rick Alstey, Take 6 and Toni Childs (not pictured).

In 1989, Vanessa tearfully accepted the award the for Outstanding New Artist at the NAACP Image Awards. She thanked the Black community, in particular, for embracing her in spite of the scandal 5 years earlier.

The '90s decade saw Vanessa achieve even more success as a singer. In 1991, she released her sophomore album, 'The Comfort Zone'. It would go on to become the biggest selling album of her musical career as it since been certified 3x platinum in the US.

Lead single, Running Back to You (#1 R&B, #18 Pop). Can we get into the looks she was serving in this video?

Vanessa performing 'Running Back To You' on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1991. For the new album, Vanessa adopted a sexier and more sophisticated image and sound.

Second single, ‘The Comfort Zone’ (#2 R&B, #67 Pop). An R&B/House bop and the video featured Vanessa looking gorgeous in a lavish desert setting. Oh and I'm pretty sure that's legendary guitarist, Slash (of Guns n' Roses) or just an excellent doppelganger.

Vanessa performing 'The Comfort Zone' at the 1991 Soul Train Music Awards. "The time has come for you to lip-sync for... your... life..."

I've posted this clip before as a standalone tweet but I just had to include it in the thread because she was so damn stunning.

Vanessa talking about her growth as an artist on The Arsenio Hall Show. Get into that FACE!

Vanessa's most successful song and signature hit found itself in third single, Save The Best For Last. The classic pop ballad topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 5 weeks and was ranked as the 4th most successful single of 1992.

Vanessa also covered The Isley Brothers' 'Work To Do' for the album and it became another R&B hit for her peaking at #2 on the R&B Charts.

By the end of the of 'The Comfort Zone' era, Vanessa was nominated for 6 GRAMMY Awards including Record of The Year and Best Female Pop Vocal performance for 'Save The Best For Last'. A pregnant and super adorable Vanessa performed during award show's telecast in 1993.

She lost all 6 of her GRAMMY nominations (perhaps a precursor to Mariah's massive 'Daydream' snub) and even the biggest winner of the night that year, Eric Clapton, remarked that 'Save The Best For Last' should've won over 'Tears in Heaven' for Song Of The Year.

Vanessa's ranked 3rd among women for the most GRAMMY noms without a win (11). She and Brian McKnight (who's ironically sitting next to her here) are notable for being shafted (he's had 17 noms to his name). Often times in both the R&B and Pop categories in the SAME YEAR!

In 1993, Vanessa collaborated with label-mate, Brian McKnight, on the duet, 'Love Is'. The song gained exposure after it was featured on the 'Melrose Place' soundtrack giving Brian his breakthrough hit and became another hit for Vanessa (#1 Pop and AC, #3 Hot 100).

Vanessa and Brian performed their GRAMMY nominated duet (Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group) on The Arsenio Hall show in 1993. A classic.

In 1994, Vanessa released her third studio album, 'The Sweetest Days' (certified platinum) which boasted a more musically diverse sound than her previous two. The album featured the Babyface-produced tracks, 'Betcha Never' and 'You Can't Run'.

First single and album title track, 'The Sweetest Days'.

The second single, 'The Way That You Love' was released in 1995 and snagged a GRAMMY nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

1995 also saw Vanessa tap into the lucrative movie soundtrack market after she was approached to sing a pop version of Disney's 'Pocahontas' theme song, 'Colors Of The Wind'. The song peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 and received a GRAMMY nod for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

'Colors Of The Wind' was also nominated for (and won) an Academy Award for Best Original Song so Vanessa performed it at 68th edition of the Oscars in 1995. This performance is so '90s with the contemporary dancers and flowing chiffon, lol.

Vanessa Williams in Versace at the 68th Academy Awards, 1995

I'd like to highlight a certain aspect of Vanessa's career that's often overlooked. In 1994, she was cast as the understudy for Aurora in the Broadway production of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'. She would later go on to earn a Tony nomination in 2002 for 'Into The Woods'.

Vanessa's vocal performance of 'The Star Spangled Banner at The Super Bowl XXX held in Tempe, Arizona (1996), was pristine as the white skirt suit she wore. In 2013, she admitted it was lipped but idc. She did what she had to do and it's one of the best renditions EVER!

In 1996, Vanessa starred in her first lead role in a major motion picture with 'Eraser' alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film was a financial success grossing $242 million at the box office.

Vanessa Williams at the premiere of 'Eraser' (1996). The mint green color brought out her eyes and peep the clear plastic heels that are all the rage now. Plus, the cigar just topped the whole look off. A style icon!

By the end of 1996, Vanessa was a full-fledged crossover star having had success in both music and film. She appeared on People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful list and was cited as one of the best dressed celebrities that year by the magazine.

In 1997, Vanessa Williams starred in the family drama, 'Soul Food' alongside Nia Long, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Beach and Mekhi Phifer. The film is notable for its nuanced and more positive portrayal of African Americans in cinema much like 1995's 'Waiting To Exhale'.

The most memorable scene in 'Soul Food' was when Teri nearly attacked Miles and cousin Faith with a knife. "I let the family in my house and you know what, the family fucked my husband!" Vanessa would win an NAACP Image Award Outstanding Lead Actress for this role.

In 1998, Vanessa became the FIRST African American spokesmodel for L'Oreal cosmetics, paving the way for other Black women like Beyoncé, Zoe Saldana and Aja Naomi King to represent the brand.

Let me take y'all back to her music a lil' bit. The single, 'Happiness', off her album, 'Next' was released in 1997. This ballroom probably looks familiar because it's the same one Lil' Kim shot the video for 'No Matter What They Say' (2000).

One of the challenges with making such extensive is missing out on certain things. So the next few tweets will include them. First of all, remember when Vanessa made an appearance on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' as a single pregnant sportswriter, lol?

In 1996, Vanessa was presented with The Lena Horne Award for Outstanding Career Achievements at the Soul Train Music Awards. The legendary actress and singer, Lena Horne, recorded a special message to honor her.

To pay tribute to her, Deborah Cox, Peabo Bryson and Brian McKnight covered some of Vanessa's most well-known songs. Nothing like some good old fashioned singing. I swear, I don't know how 'Nessa held it together when Brian started singing, lol.

Peabo, Deborah and Brian all covering 'Save The Best For Last'. Such beautiful voices

Vanessa's acceptance speech for The Lena Horne Award For Outstanding Career Achievements at the 1996 Soul Train Music Awards.

In 1998, Vanessa teamed up with Latin music superstar, Chayanne, for the dance flick, Dance With Me'. They also recorded a song titled, 'Refugio De Amor (You Are My Home)' for the official soundtrack.

'Nessa also released a Christmas album titled 'Star Bright' and it was nominated for a GRAMMY in the category of 'Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. My favorite quality about her voice is how bell clear it is. Such a versatile talent.

By the end of the '90s, Vanessa was cited among the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston and Halle Berry as the top Black actresses in Hollywood during that decade.

In 2004, Vanessa starred alongside Cedric The Entertainer, Solange and Bow Wow in the hilarious family comedy, 'Johnson Family Vacation'. Their performance of Lakeside's 'Fantastic Voyage' was a highlight. Of course you'd win with Vanessa, Solo and peak Bow Wow by your side lol.

Three years later in 2007, Vanessa was honored by The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Vanessa surrounded by her four children, Melanie, Jillian, Devin and Sasha at the dedication ceremony of her Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2006 Vanessa snagged her most well-known role in the comedy series, 'Ugly Betty' as conniving Editor-in-Chief, Wilhelmina Slater. She won praise for her role and was nominated for an Emmy three times between 2007 and 2009.

Vanessa played the role of the shady, conceited diva to a T! She had so many memorable moments as a Wilhelmina that I would need to make a whole other thread to highlight her best moments as the villainous character.

Some of Vanessa's best Award Season looks during her run as Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty. The aqua dress in the first photo is my personal favorite.

She won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2007.

After 'Ugly Betty' (sadly) came to an end, Vanessa joined the women of Wysteria Lane for the final two seasons of 'Desperate Housewives' as Renee Perry.

In 2014, Vanessa participated in Oprah Winfreey's Masterclass series where she discussed her life story.

32 years after her crowning, The Miss America Organization invited Vanessa to be a judge in 2015. The CEO, Sam Haskell, apologized to Vanessa and her mother on behalf of the the the organization for the events that transpired which led to her resignation in 1984.

I've finally come to the end of this thread and to close, I would just like to point out how Vanessa is living proof that when life throws seemingly insurmountable challenges at you, have the courage to face them head on and be grateful for the little things.

Vanessa turned things around after the 1984 and became the most iconic Miss America of all time. She's gorgeous, talented, elegant, charismatic and most importantly, she's a fighter. I guess she had really had the last laugh after all.

And that concludes it. Hopefully, I've been able to remind those who've forgotten (and even provide learning those who had no idea) of Vanessa's incredible career achievements and her contributions to pop culture. Until my next thread...