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01
Williams was crowned Miss America in 1984 but resigned after nude photos from her past were published in Penthouse. The centerfold for that issue was 16-year-old Traci Lords, making the issue illegal to own or trade due to her underage status.
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02
On November 17, 2003, she sang the National Anthem at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s inauguration as Governor of California.
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03
She has four children: Melanie Hervey born June 30, 1987, Jillian Hervey born June 19, 1989, Devin Hervey born April 14, 1993 with first husband Ramon Hervey, and Sasha Fox born May 1, 2000 with second husband Rick Fox.
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04
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on March 19, 2007.
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05
Introduced to husband Rick Fox by his then-girlfriend model Tyra Banks, they began dating after Banks ended the relationship.
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06
As a junior at Syracuse University, she was crowned Miss America in fall 1983 and dropped out to fulfill contractual duties, but earned her Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts on May 10, 2008.
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07
She turned down the role in Monster’s Ball 2001, which later went to Halle Berry.
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08
She was nominated for Broadway’s 2002 Tony Award as Best Actress Musical for a revival of Into the Woods.
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09
In 2007, she became one of the highest-paid spokespersons in infomercial history by signing a $20 million contract with ProActive Solution.
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10
She was the first black contestant in the hot seat on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire 1999.
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11
She is usually billed as Vanessa Williams but registered with SAG as Vanessa L. Williams; the other Vanessa Williams from Melrose Place chose not to file a complaint.
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12
In 1981, she won a musical theatre scholarship to Syracuse University but lost it, leading her to enter the Miss America pageant.
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13
Originally cast as Jane Toussaint in Spike Lee’s School Daze 1988, she was replaced by Tisha Campbell due to artistic differences.
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14
Her runner-up, Suzette Charles, became the second African-American Miss America after her resignation.
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15
Her parents, Milton Williams and Helen Williams, were both music teachers.
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16
She has a skin-care line called Revitalistic launched in 2012.
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17
She did commercials for Radio Shack from 2001 with Howie Long and Ving Rhames, and in 2003 with husband Rick Fox, also spots for Crest and Proactive Solution.
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18
She appears with her brother Chris Williams and children Melanie, Jillian, and Devin in The Courage to Love 2000.
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19
She and Rick Fox eloped to the Caribbean in summer 1999, then had a lavish ceremony at Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City followed by a reception at the St. Regis Hotel.
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20
She was ranked #56 on VH1’s 100 Sexiest Artists.
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21
Daughter Jillian Hervey is lead singer-dancer for Lion Babe.
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22
She grew up in Millwood, New York.
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23
She currently lives in Chappaqua, New York.
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24
She attended Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, New York.
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25
She is the older sister of Chris Williams.
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26
She is a celebrity spokesperson for Proactive Solution acne medication.
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27
She is often confused with the other actress Vanessa Williams.
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28
She is ex-sister-in-law of Jeanene Fox.
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29
She has a grandson named Sunny Rise Goodman.
