- This article is about Vanessa Williams the actress and singer, for the actress on Melrose Place see Vanessa Williams (actress).
Vanessa Lynn Williams (born March 18, 1963) is a pop and R&B singer who began her career as the first black Miss America. She resigned early in her reign on July 23, 1984, however, when it was discovered that she had posed nude for sadomasochistically/lesbierotically themed photographs that were later published in the magazine Penthouse. She managed to rise above that scandal and become a popular singer with her 1988 debut album, "The Right Stuff", which went gold and earned Vanessa three Grammy Nominations, including one for "Best New Artist". Vanessa also made a splash into Hollywood and became an acclaimed actress, with appearances in films like Eraser, co-starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and starring in movies such as 1997's "Soul Food" for which she won the Best Actress award from the NAACP, and "Dance With Me" in 1998. Other movies include 1997's "Hoodlum" opposite Laurance Fishburne, 2000's "Shaft" opposite Samuel L. Jackson and her most recent, "Johnson Family Vacation" alongside Cedric "The Entertainer". In music, she has sold over 6 million records with eight R&B/Pop, Holiday, and Greatest Hits albums. Her most notable songs include "Dreamin", "Running Back To You", "Save The Best For Last", "Love Is", "The Sweetest Days", "Colors of the Wind", and "Oh How The Years Go By". In addition to 15 Grammy nominations, Ms. Williams also has three NAACP Image Awards, A Billboard Music Award, 7 New York Music Awards, An MTV Video Music Award, A Theater World Award, and most recently was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for 2002's "Into The Woods" by the Tony Awards. In 1996, she recieved the Soul Train: Lady of Soul Lena Horne Lifetime Career Achievement Award for Outstanding work in the field of entertainment. In addition to her music, theater, and work on the silver screen, she has made numerous made-for-TV movies and miniseries and has appeared on hit shows including, "The Love Boat", "TJ Hooker", "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air", "Saturday Night Live", "Star Trek: DSN", "Lateline","Ally McBeal", and "Boomtown."
In her personal life, she is the mother of four children. Three from her first marriage, in 1987, to her then-manager Ramon Hervey. The marriage ended in 1997. She again married in 1999 to NBA basketball star Rick Fox. They have one daughter, Sasha. Rick Fox filed for divorce recently on August 11, 2004. Although Ms. Williams maintains that the two of them are still married, they are believed to be seperated. The divorce is not final as yet.
For 2005, Vanessa is releasing her eighth studio album "Everlasting Love", a collection of her favorite 70's songs.
External links
Official Site (http://www.vanessawilliamsmusic.com)
Fan Site (http://www.vanessawilliams.de)
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