Vanessa Williams and Miss America

Vanessa Williams
Williams in 1984
Known forMiss America (First African American) – 1984
TitleMiss America 1984
Miss New York 1983
Miss Syracuse 1983
TermSeptember 17, 1983 – July 22, 1984 (resigned)
PredecessorDebra Maffett
SuccessorSuzette Charles
AwardsPreliminary Talent (Voice), "Happy Days Are Here Again"[1]
Preliminary Swimsuit[1]

Vanessa Williams (born March 18, 1963) is an American actress, singer, and fashion designer. She initially gained recognition as the first African American winner of the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984 in September 1983. Several weeks before the end of her reign, however, a scandal arose when Penthouse magazine bought and published[2][3] nude photographs of Williams. Williams was pressured to relinquish her title and was succeeded by the first runner-up, Miss New Jersey 1983, Suzette Charles. She was the first Miss America to give up her crown. Thirty-two years later, in September 2015, when Williams served as head judge for the Miss America 2016 pageant, former Miss America CEO Sam Haskell made a public apology to her for the events of 1984.

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