Vanessa Williams Returns to Miss America for First Time Since ’80s Nude Photo Scandal

[mvcg66b3r]

Former Miss America Vanessa Williams has been named the head judge of the 2016 Miss America Pageant, organizers announced Tuesday.

Williams was crowned Miss America in 1984, becoming the first African-American woman to win the pageant, but not without controversy. The model, who has found success in virtually all areas of the entertainment industry, was forced to resign 10 months after winning the crown when nude photos from her past appeared in Penthouse magazine.

But now it appears the organization is welcoming the former beauty queen back with open arms as she joins host Chris Harrison, co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet, music curator Nick Jonas and celebrity judges Brett Eldredge, Taya Kyle, Danica McKellar, Kevin O’Leary, Amy Purdy and Zendaya.

A strong advocate for equal rights, especially concerning the gay community and minorities, Vanessa was honored with the Human Rights Campaign “Ally for Equality” Award for her humanitarian contributions. She also achieved a career pinnacle with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

The 2016 Miss America Competition airs live from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

http://www.thewrap.com/vanessa-williams-returns-to-miss-america-pageant-as-head-judge/

 

[umfan]

She's had one of the more successful post-Miss America reign careers.

She's very talented and still quite pretty. One easy prediction to make......Miss America will post WAY higher ratings than Miss USA did!

 

[LKellerIII]

She's had one of the more successful post-Miss America reign careers.

She's very talented and still quite pretty. One easy prediction to make......Miss America will post WAY higher ratings than Miss USA did!

I often wonder if Vanessa feels a little vengeful satisfaction at the success of her career given that she was stripped of her "crown." If you recall, it was because she had done a photo-shoot with another model for Penthouse magazine (IIRC) that was kinda-sorta softcore porn. The photos implied lesbian sex. These days she never would have been blackballed like that, but this was years before Ellen's lesbian kiss, and the change in attitudes toward homosexuality and bisexuality.

Her career has been successful because she's very talented - she can sing and act. And she's not "still quite pretty"...in my opinion, she still drop-dead beautiful.

 

[vchimpanzee]

And she's not "still quite pretty"...in my opinion, she still drop-dead beautiful.

If one can be at her age.

But she was great in "Ugly Betty".

 

[Bob Eubanks]

Why couldn't someone "of her age" be drop dead beautiful?

 

[vchimpanzee]

Why couldn't someone "of her age" be drop dead beautiful?

There were times on "Desperate Housewives" when she looked her age. Still good, but not THAT good.

Here is something very confusing. Vanessa L. Williams, the former Miss America, was in the film "Soul Food". Vanessa A. Williams of "Melrose Place" was in the TV series "Soul Food". At least they didn't play the same role. Nicole Parker played the Miss America's movie role in the TV series, and Vivica Fox played the other Vanessa's TV role in the movie.

 

[LKellerIII]

Why couldn't someone "of her age" be drop dead beautiful?

Thanks, Bob Eubanks. You're our Newlywed Game Grand Prize Winner! Sorry...had to say that.

In my opinion, some women are able to maintain their natural beauty WAY past their early 50s (Vanessa's age). This may be a function of my age (63), but she still looks great to me. Does she have a few wrinkles? Sure, but that's to be expected. And if she's had plastic surgery like so many female stars her age - there are no 'tells' to give it away.

 

[umfan]

She is beautiful, and did well on the broadcast.

 

[vchimpanzee]

That was quite a tribute. I expected them to avoid any mention of the controversy, but they did talk about that, just not the specifics. It was great how they welcomed her back.

 

[mvcg66b3r]

I expected them to avoid any mention of the controversy, but they did talk about that, just not the specifics.

That explains the TV-14 rating. Usually pageants would get a TV-G or TV-PG.

 

[vchimpanzee]

That explains the TV-14 rating. Usually pageants would get a TV-G or TV-PG.

I don't remember a TV-14 rating.