Vanessa L. Williams

Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American model, singer, songwriter and actress. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American dive to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal caused her to relinquish her title early. Williams rebounded by beginning a career as an entertainer, earning Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominations. Williams compete in the Miss Syracuse beauty pageant when a campus musical she was in was cancelled in 1983. After she won, Williams won Miss New York in 1983, and went to the Miss America national pageant in Atlantic City.Prior to the final night of competition, Williams won both the Preliminary Talent and Swimsuit Competitions from previous in the week. Williams' reign as Miss America was not without its challenges and controversies. For the first time in pageant history, a reign Miss America was the target of death threats and hate mail.

Born	March 18, 1963
Birth Place	Millwood, New York, U.S.
Birth name	Vanessa Lynn Williams
Genres	R&B, pop, soul, jazz, dance
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, actress