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By: Priscilla Wiredu
In 1983, September was a significant time frame with respect to Black American history. It was a time where Vanessa Williams was crowned the honorary title of first Black Miss America in the Miss America pageant.
At the time, it was an important event for Black women in America. It brought awareness to the Black community that a Black woman was able to be recognized as the face of beauty in the nation.
However, the tumultuous events that followed her title of Black Miss America should also be addressed. Her resilience, strength, and beauty are some of the qualities aspiring models should look up to.
Early Life
Vanessa Lynn Williams was born on March 18, 1963 in the Bronx, New York. Her great-great grandfather was William A. Fields, who served as an influential African-American legislator in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Williams was raised as a Catholic in a religious environment and was baptized at Our Lady of Grace Church. She would regularly attend her mother’s piano performances at a church in Briarcliff Manor, where she would help turn sheet music.
Williams grew up in Westchester county of New York City. She is known to be the first Black student to succeed from the first grade up until the 12th grade in the Chappaqua Central School District, which was known as an affluent upper-class White suburb.
Williams developed an interest for classical and jazz music and playing instruments such as the French horn, piano, and violin. She received a scholarship and attended Syracuse University. In 1981, Williams decided to enroll in the Syracuse College of Visual and Performing Arts to pursue a music major.
Winning Miss America 1983
By the age of 20, Williams was approached and offered to participate in the Miss Syracuse pageant after her performance at Syracuse University. At first she was apprehensive about participating in the pageant, but later decided to enter due to the comprehensive scholarship offered.
In April 1983, she won the title of Miss Syracuse, which further led her to advance and win Miss New York in July 1983, given her exceptional skills, passion, and talent.
During her Miss America pageant, Williams won the ‘Preliminary Swimsuit’ section and ‘Preliminary Talent’ section. This accomplishment led her to develop skills in the talent industry that allowed her to step out of her comfort zone and take on new challenges. On September 17, 1983, Vanessa Williams won Miss America, making her the first Black woman to win a reputable and astonishing title.
Backlash, Scandal, and Pushback
Williams’ win was an inspiration to many who wished to enter beauty pageants. Yet, her resignation as Miss America was often criticized and condemned.
Williams claimed that many Black and White individuals did not support her being the face of America’s beauty standards. Physical attributes including the colour of her eyes, skin, and hair texture were often seen as problematic by many people.
She was also targeted, receiving racist backlash, hate mail, and death threats. Williams had been in solidarity with Nina Davuluri, a 2014 winner of Miss America who had received similar treatment after her crowning.
Williams was not afraid to confront the hate she received, she also defended other minority contestants who had won their titles and were facing discriminatory remarks.
In July 1984, Williams discovered that her nude photos from freshman year at university were leaked and published to Penthouse magazine without her consent. This exposure tarnished her reputation and credibility, forcing her to resign from her position.
Resigning from Miss America cost Williams several million dollars worth of brand deals. Yet, she was still authorized and entitled to keep her crown, title, and scholarship money. However, she was prohibited from attending the 1984 Miss America coronation, where the former Miss America passes down her crown to the new queen.
Given these challenges, Williams exemplified perseverance and resisted the shame she received by turning it into a positive learning experience.
Williams launched a lawsuit against Penthouse, and after several months of fruitless litigation, she had to drop the case and move on with her life.
Collaborating with Public Relations Expert Ramon Hervey II, Williams landed an exciting film role in the 1987 romantic comedy The Pick-Up Artist. Only a year later, the two developed a romantic relationship and decided to get married.
Williams successfully launched her own music career, signing a record contract with PolyGram, leading to the release of her first musical album, The Right Stuff (1988).
The album gained recognition and went gold, with three songs making it to the top 10 charts. The Right Stuff awarded her as the Best New Female Artists title from the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People in 1988, followed by three Grammy award nominations.
In 1991, Williams second album The Comfort Zone sold over two million copies that reached a variety of audiences in America, going triple platinum.
Many of Williams’ songs reached the top charts and gained popularity. An example of her talent lies within Williams’ renditions of “Colors of the Wind.” Her voice was incorporated in Disney’s 1995 film Pocahontas, which earned Williams yet another Grammy nomination.
Williams achieved a successful career in television and film. In 1992, she portrayed the character of Suzanne de Passe in the TV movie The Jacksons: An American Dream.
From 2006 to 2010, she portrayed the character of Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty and a recurring role as Renee Filmore-Jones in the famed drama Desperate Housewives.
In September 2015, when Williams was the head judge for the 2016 Miss America pageant, CEO Sam Haskell vocalized a public apology to Williams for the controversial events during 1984, 32 years later after the event had occurred.
Legacy
Vanessa Williams had a tumultuous life after winning Miss America in 1984. Her struggles and achievements remind Black individuals to step outside of their comfort zone to achieve titles in society.
Decades later, Black people who have earned reputable titles never imagined racism and hate, despite the increased support that outweighs the negativity.
Williams, along with many other Black female celebrities, tolerated a sexist and racist society while being the face of the nation and an icon of beauty, resilience, and national pride.
The beauty in these events lie within Williams’ strength, proving her worth beyond external beauty. She has inspired many Black women to stand up for themselves and embrace their talents and hard earned success.
“Success is the sweetest revenge.” – Vanessa Williams
Priscilla Wiredu is a writer for this year’s Black Voice project. An alumni of York University, she graduated with Honors where she studied Social Sciences. She then went on to get an Ontario Graduate certificate in Creative Writing from the Humber School for Writers, and a college certificate in Legal Office Administration at Seneca College. She is currently studying for the LSAT in hopes of going to law school. Her main goal as a Black Voices writer is to ensure Black issues and Black Pride are enunciated through her works.