Vanessa Lynn Williams (born March 18, 1963) is an American singer, actress, model, producer, and dancer. She gained recognition as the first Black woman to receive the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984, but resigned her title amid a media controversy surrounding nude photographs of her being published in Penthouse magazine. Thirty-two years later, Williams was offered a public apology during the Miss America 2016 pageant for the events.
First Name
Middle Name
Last Name
Full Name at Birth
Vanessa Lynn Williams
Other Names
Miss America 1984
Vanessa Lynn Williams
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynne Williams
Van
Ness
V
Thumper
Age
Date of Birth
Birthplace
Height
Weight
Build
Eye Color
Hair Color
Distinctive Features
Eyes
Eyebrows
Slender frame
Shoulder-length, wavy hair
Net Worth
$28,000,000 USD
Residence
Chappaqua, New York, USA
New York City, New York, USA
Los Angeles, California, USA
The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Tarrytown, New York, USA
Millwood, New York, USA
Star Sign
Sexuality
Religion
Ethnicity
Nationality
High School
University
Occupation
Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Model, Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer
Occupation Category
Claim to Fame
her hit singles including Dreamin’, The Right Stuff, Darlin’ I, Save the Best for Last, The Comfort Zone, Running Back to You, and Love Is as well as others, in addition to her roles as Lee Cullen in the 1996 action film Eraser, Calypso in the NBC mythology-adventure miniseries The Odyssey, Teri Joseph in the 1997 comedy-drama film Soul Food, Ruby Sinclair in the 1998 romantic dance drama film Dance with Me, the Queen of Trash in the 1999 musical adventure comedy film The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Dorothy Johnson in the 2004 comedy film Johnson Family Vacation, Carmen Vasquez in the 2000 action crime thriller film Shaft, Wilhelmina Slater in the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty, Renee Perry in the ABC ensemble comedy drama mystery series Desperate Housewives, Olivia Doran in the supernatural drama series 666 Park Avenue, Courtney Paige in the CBS legal drama series The Good Wife, General Rockwell in the TNT fantasy adventure series The Librarians, and Maxine Robinson in the VH1 satirical comedy-drama series Daytime Divas
Genre
Gospel
Dance
Jazz
Pop
R&B
Soul
Music Genre
Year(s) Active
1987–present
1983–present
1982–present
1982–present
Music Style
Music Mood
Instrument
Instrument
Vocals
Labels
Wing
Polydor
Mercury
Lava
Concord
Wing Records
Polydor Records Limited
Mercury Records
Lava Records
Concord Records
Atlantic Recording Corporation
Sony Classical Records
Mellian Music
Brand Endorsements
TV commercial for Radio Shack (2001, 2003)
TV commercial for Crest (2002)
TV commercial for ProActiv Solution (2005-2008)
TV commercial for Clear Eyes (2014)
TV commercial for M&Ms (2013-2020)
Measurements (inches)
Official Website
