In 1983, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America 1984 and made history as the first black woman to win the title. During her reign, and without her permission, Penthouse Magazine acquired and published photos of Williams taken before she was named Miss America. Following pressure from the Miss America organization, Williams resigned during a press conference weeks before the end of her years-long reign. Williams is now sharing her story for the small screen, Deadline reports. Sony Pictures Television is going to develop a limited series based on its account. Neil Meron (hairspray!) will executive produce.
“This project is incredibly personal to me,” Williams told Deadline. “There are so many inaccurate and false stories about the events surrounding this period in my life, and as a mother and as a black woman it is important to me that my truth is told and documented from my perspective. This isn’t just a story about spicy photos, it’s about misogyny and racism and I want to shine a light on that for generations to come. Not only was I able to survive what could have been a career end scandal, but I also emerged and achieved a body of work of which I am immensely proud.”
Mark Nicholson, Stephen Roseberry and Jon Carrasco of Encore Endeavor 1 (a subsidiary of Kathy Ireland Worldwide), and attorney Martin Singer, who has worked with Williams for many years, join Meron as executive producers. Steve Glick, EVP of Content and Broadcasting for EE1, has signed on as producer.
A tale of triumph
Williams, not allowing the scandal to diminish her drive, became an award-winning musician and actress. From 2006-2010 she received praise for her portrayal of Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty, received three Emmy nominations for her work on the series. After the end of the beloved show, Williams starred in the seventh season of Desperate Housewives. Her feature film credits include: soul foodwhich earned her the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, the critically acclaimed independent film My brotherthe reboot of 2000 Shank, Gumand Hannah Montana: The Movieamong other things.
Since 1988, Williams has released eight studio records, earning eleven Grammy nominations. Colors of the windher single from Disney’s pocahontas, Williams earned an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Although she hasn’t released an album since 2009 the real thingshe is preparing to record her ninth album.
Williams most recently played on POTUSa Broadway comedy and wrapped shots for Paramount+’s Queen of the Universe.
“It’s been nearly 40 years since Vanessa was crowned Miss America — the first African-American woman to win the crown in pageant history. Unfortunately, her historic victory was marred by the greed of people who don’t care about the consequences of their actions on the lives of Vanessa, her family and our country. We look forward to working with Vanessa, Neil, Mark and Sony to bring this inspiring story of heroism and determination to the screen,” said Jon Carrasco and Stephen Roseberry, Creative Director of Encore Endeavor 1 and Kathy Ireland Worldwide and President /CMO of Encore Endeavor 1 and Kathy ireland Worldwide, respectively.
In 2015, Williams returned to the Miss America stage as the head judge for their 2016 pageant. During that evening’s presentation, the organization’s CEO Sam Haskell publicly apologized to Williams, saying:
“On behalf of today’s organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams. I want to apologize for anything said or done that made you feel less of the Miss America you are or the Miss America that you will always remain.” to be.”