Vanessa Williams may be a name we all recognized thanks to shows such as Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, but her start in the industry was thanks to an organization that recognizes beauty inside and out, the Miss America pageant.
Back in 1983, Williams made history as the first African American woman to be crowned Miss America. Unfortunately, ten months later she was also the first to resign her crown due to a nudity scandal according to Vanity Fair. Naked pictures of the star from 1982 surfaced and were published in Penthouse magazine without her consent, which caused her the crown.
Now thirty years later, the former beauty queen was asked to return to the stage in Atlantic City, New Jersey to be a celebrity judge for this year’s Miss America pageant. According to the New York Times, after she sang a song on stage, Sam Haskell, the executive chairman of the pageant, gave a public apology. He said, “I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less the Miss American you are and the Miss America you always will be.”
Williams was shocked at this apology. New York Times quotes her as saying, “so unexpected but so beautiful”. After the touching moment the pageant continued with its normal routine. After a few rounds of swimsuits, eveningwear, talent, and questions, the nation had a new Miss America. Betty Cantrell of Georgia has now a duty to fulfill as the new Miss America.