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Vanessa Williams Profile |
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Birth Date: March 18, 1963
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Birth Place: Bronx, New York, USA
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Birth Name: Vanessa Lynn Williams
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Height: 5'6"
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Vanessa Williams Wallpapers |
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Biography |
Vanessa Lynn Williams was born on March 18 1963, to Milton
and Helen Williams. Milton and Helen both held advanced
degrees in music so they were perfect for getting Vanessa
started in piano and the French horn. But it was her
beautiful and silky voice that came naturally to her. It
became such a passion that she pursued singing in Syracuse
University as a Theater Arts major.
As Vanessa's beauty and graciousness matured, she started
doing beauty pageants. Before she knew it, she was crowned
Miss New York. She had to go on to represent New York in the
Miss America pageant. So on to the pageant she went, not
knowing if she could do the same thing again. But Vanessa
proved everyone wrong and won the crown. As a matter of
fact, she went on the become the first African American to
ever win the Miss America crown. She had the world at her
feet. Everybody wanted to interview her. But it was toward
the end of her reign that her past had caught up with her.
Vanessa had taken pictures for Pent.house Magazine in her
pre-Miss America days and they were threatening to reveal
them. So she resigned as Miss America.
When all had seemed hopeless, she picked up her chin and
strutted off to 'move on' avenue. A year later, Vanessa was
doing backup vocals on George Clinton's "Hey Good Looking"
and "Do Fries Go with That Shake?". Although the songs
weren't to widely known, Vanessa caught the attention of
Wing/Murcury Record executives. After a couple of meetings,
they signed Vanessa to a recording contract. While working
up a storm on her debut album, she married and later
divorced her now ex-manager Ramn Hervey.
Throughout the marriage, they produced three lovely children
(Melanie, Jillian and Devin). By 1988 Vanessa's debut album
The Right Stuff was released. It won her a new image. A more
playful, funky, sexy Vanessa. People were starting to
appreciate her more. And as luck would have it, her single
'Dreaming' had hit #1 on the charts. It was a good year for
her and she was back on top.
In 1991 her second album, The Comfort Zone was released.
Everyone's favorite song was another ballad "Save the Best
For Last" which remained #1 on the charts for five weeks. In
the meantime, Vanessa decided to test her acting skills in
small roles. They weren't very big parts but they did prove
to be useful. Vanessa released her third album Sweetest Days
and it went platinum almost instantly. During that time she
was featured in the Broadway musical, Kiss of the Spider
Woman. Because audiences adored her, they recorded a new
cast version of the CD.
On the big screen, Vanessa finally got a major role opposite
Arnold Schwarznegger in the action/suspense movie Eraser.
This opened up a new area of acting for her. Soon she would
be gaining more attention by getting roles in Hoodlum, Soul
Food, and the TV miniseries The Odyssey. But it was Dance
With Me that her fans enjoyed the most. It probably had
something to do with the tailor made role that had her in
cute clothes and dancing her butt off. It showcased the
Vanessa that we were all used to. The one that entertained
us all. Somehow she made time in her busy schedule to record
and drop her fourth album, Next. Very recently, she married
former Los Angeles Laker basketball player Rick Fox. |
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Other
Information |
Was originally cast as Jane Toussaint in Spike Lee's School
Daze (1988), 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, Jillian, and Devin
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" (1999/I).
Won a Sports Emmy for singing a song about quarterback Joe
Montana during an opening sequence on ABC's "NFL Monday
Night Football" (1970).
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" (1982).
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) |
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