Vanessa Williams
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"I throw myself into my work. It's exhausting. It's time-consuming. I feel guilty for not being with my kids all the time, But then when I'm home with my children and devoting my life to my kids, in the back of my mind I'm wondering whether I'll ever get employed again. So there's a constant battle of doing what fuels me and what I do best. And also, being there for my kids."
Short facts
Birthdate :May 12, 1963
Location :Tarrytown , New York
Country :United States
Sign : Pisces
Eyes color :
Hair color :
Etnhnicity:
Job :actresses
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Vanessa Williams Timeline
1981
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.1983
As a Junior at Syracuse University, she was crowned Miss America in the fall of 1983 and dropped out to fulfill her contractual duties, but she eventually earned her Bachelor's degree from the Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts on May 10, 2008.1983
As a Junior at Syracuse University, she was crowned Miss America in the fall of 1983 and dropped out to fulfill her contractual duties, but she eventually earned her Bachelor's degree from the Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts on May 10, 2008.1984
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.1987
Has four children: Melanie (b. 1987), Jillian (b. 1989), and Devin (b. 1993), Sasha (b. 2000).1988
Was originally cast as Jane Toussaint in Spike Lee's School Daze , but was replaced by Tisha Campbell-Martin due to artistic differences.1988
Was originally cast as Jane Toussaint in Spike Lee's School Daze (1988), but was replaced by Tisha Campbell-Martin due to artistic differences.1992
Played the first and only African American main character in "Melrose Place" (1992)1999
Was the first black contestant in the hot seat on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" .1999
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.1999
Was the first black contestant in the hot seat on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (1999/I).2000
Appeared in the cable TV show "Soul Food" (2000), while her namesake the singer-actress Vanessa Williams appeared in the movie Soul Food (1997), of which the former is a spin-off.2001
Turned down the role in Monster's Ball , which later went to Halle Berry.2001
Did commercials for Radio Shack from 2001 with Howie Long and Ving Rhames, and, from 2003, husband Rick Fox. She also did spots for Crest, and a late-night infomercial for skin care product, Proactive Solution.2001
Turned down the role in Monster's Ball (2001), which later went to Halle Berry.2002
Was nominated for Broadway's 2002 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for a revival of "Into The Woods."2002
Was nominated for Broadway's 2002 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for a revival of "Into The Woods."2003
Sang the National Anthem at Arnold Schwarzenegger's inauguration as Governor of California. 2003
Sang the National Anthem at Arnold Schwarzenegger's inauguration as Governor of California. (17 November 2003)2007
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 19 March 2007.2007
In 2007, became one of the highest paid spokespersons of all time in the world of infomercial products when she signed a $20 million dollar contract with ProActive Solution.2007
In 2007 she became one of the highest-paid spokespersons of all time in the world of infomercial products when she signed a $20-million contract with ProActive Solution.7000
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
