Born Vanessa Lynn Williams 3/18/63 in The Bronx, New York.
She was the first black to go from 1st to 12th grade in the Chappaqua School District in New York.
Her birth announcement said “here she is Miss America”.
She was crowned the first black Miss America in 1984.
She resigned as Miss America seven weeks before her term was up as Penthouse was going to release unauthorized nude photos of her.
She was replaced by the 1st runner up and 2nd black Miss America, Suzette Charles.
She served as head judge for the Miss America pageant in 2016.
Her first television appearance was on The Love Boat.
She has received 10 Grammy nominations. She was the first black spokesmodel for L’Oreal Cosmetics.
She is not to be confused with Vanessa A. Williams, another black actress, the Screen Actors Guild has allowed both of theme to use the name, Vanessa Williams.
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