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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.
- September 17, 1983 – July 22, 1984 (resigned)
Williams was the first African-American recipient of the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984 on September 17, 1983. Several weeks before the end of her reign, however, a scandal arose when Penthouse magazine bought and published unauthorized nude photographs of her.
Aug 23, 2021 · The Miss America pageant was marking its 62nd birthday that year. It was a milestone no one could have imagined when they launched the whole enterprise in 1921, a quirky little beachfront beauty ...
- Amy Argetsinger
Sep 17, 2023 · Miss New York!”. And with that, Williams made history by becoming the first Black woman in the pageant’s six-decade history to win the Miss America title. "I had the responsibility of ...
- 3 min
- Garin Flowers
Jul 4, 2020 · In 1983, Vanessa Williams made history when she became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America. And while this win seemed like a victory to many, Williams tells Good Housekeeping that ...
- agarrity@hearst.com
It wasn’t until 1984 that the first Black Miss America, Vanessa Williams, was crowned — and she relinquished her title over a nude photo scandal, receiving an apology from the organization only in 2015. At least 11 minority women have won the title in all.
In 1984 Vanessa Williams became the first black Miss America, beginning the year as one of the best Miss Americas ever, in the eyes of many pageant insiders, but ending her reign mid-year...
