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Vanessa Williams Biography

Birth Name:Vanessa Lynn Williams

Birth Place:Tarrytown, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Wrote the song "Colors of the Wind" for Disney's "Pocahontas," which won an Oscar for Best Original Song
Earned a NAACP Image Award in 1997 for her role in "Soul Food"
Studied for two years at Syracuse University before leaving to fulfill her Miss America duties, but would return to complete her degree 25 years later
Was crowned the first-ever African American Miss America in 1983
Forced to relinquish her title of Miss America after Penthouse magazine acquired and published nude photos of her
Made her Broadway debut in 1994 in the stage production of Kiss of the Spider Woman and then her feature film debut two years later in "Eraser"
Released her debut musical album in 1988, The Right Stuff, several songs off which were eventually named top hits on the Billboard charts
Her parents seemed to predict the future when they poetically posted her birth announcement in 1963 which read, "Here she is, Miss America"
Was the first African American model to sign as a spokesperson with L'Oreal Cosmetics
Published her first memoir, "You Have No Idea," alongside her mother in 2012

Awards

1996Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series: nominated
1997OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Syndicated Series: nominated
1998Black Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
1999ALMA Award-Outstanding Performance of a Song for a Feature Film: nominated
2000Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actress - Action: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2003Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actress: nominated
2003Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2004BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Box Office Movie: nominated
2006Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
2007Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2007Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Villain: winner
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2008Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2008Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2008Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Villain: nominated
2009Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
2009Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2009Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2009OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2009Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2009Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Villain: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress of the Decade: nominated
2010Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2011Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2011Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2012Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2015Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
2015Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2016BTVA Anime Dub Movie/Special Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in an Anime Feature Film/Special: nominated
2016BTVA Anime Dub Movie/Special Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in an Anime Feature Film/Special in a Supporting Role: nominated
2018Wreath Award-Best Actress: nominated
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actress, Comedy Series: nominated
2021Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Drama Series: nominated