Vanessa Williams was born on March 18, 1963 in Milwood, New York to Helen and Milton Williams. Both whom were music teachers.

While growing up, Vanessa and her brother Christopher were required to learn a musical instrument. Vanessa didn't care to learn a musical instrument so she convinced her parents to let her get involved in singing. That's when Vanessa true talent was realized and she then decided to pursue it as a career!

After high school, Vanessa went to Syracuse University to major in muscial theater. Vanessa's talent for singing and acting were turned into a lean, mean training machine. The skills she developed combined with her natural talent made Vanessa an undeniable powerhouse performer.

While at Syracuse, Vanessa thought as a fun oppertunity to pay for school expenses entered a pagent to become New York's representive in the Miss America Pagent. To the surprise of her parents and Vanessa herself, she won the title of Miss New York.

Vanessa became known to the world in September of 1983 when she won the Miss America title. This was an historic event because Vanessa was the first african american woman to win the title. Unfortunately, 10 months later Vanessa would again make history by becoming the first Miss America to have her title abdicated. The mistake of posing nude a few years eariler cost Vanessa the Miss America crown. This was undoubtably the most difficult and trying time in her life on many levels. Had the scandle destroyed any and all oppertunities for a professional career?

Vanessa was determined not to let scandle ruin her carrer. Shortly after she with publistist Ramon Harvey set out to restablish credibilty. This is when her recording career was born. In 1988, Vanessa debt album "The Right Stuff" was released and became a bonfide hit. Then in 1991, Vanessa became a bona fide superstar with the release of her second album "The Comfort Zone" Her hit single "Save the Best for Last" went to number one on several charts for weeks.

While establishing her recording career w/ the help of Ramon Harvey, the two eventually fell in love and married in 1987. They have 3 beautiful children. Ramon became her manager and worked together for years. Unfortuately the business relationship combined with the personal relationship didn't mix. In 1996 the two divorced.

Vanessa's career does not stop there. In 1994 she established broadway success when she took over Chita Rivera's role in "Kiss of the Spider Woman". She had a 9-month run and recieved rave review's from critics. This is Vanessa's most cherished accomplishment because it was her life long dream to perform on Broadway. She was also in the televison version of "Bye Bye Birde"

Although she had done small roles in several flims, in1996 Vanessa achieved movie success when she played opposite Arnold Swarzaneiger in "Earser". She has now gone on to do such movies as "Hoodlum" with Lawerence Fishburne, "Soul Food", with Nina Long and Vivica Fox, and "Dance with Me with Chanyane.

Although Vanessa has yet to win an Oscar for her movie performances, her recording of "Colors of the Wind" did win for best song to the animated Disney movie "Pocahontas".

Vanessa has acheived an all around sucesss in the entertainment industry. It is due to her powerhouse talent and by overcoming her obstcales with style and grace. She is truly a remarkable lady and performer.