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Miss America Who Replaced Vanessa Williams, Suzette Charles, Says Apology Was About Ratings

Suzette Charles and Vanessa Williams
Suzette Charles, the woman who was crowned Miss America in 1984 after Vanessa Williams' nude photos surfaced, says the apology the actress received on Sunday, Sept. 13, was "for ratings"

Ooh, girl. Former beauty queen Suzette Charles isn’t buying the apology that Vanessa Williams received during the Miss America 2016 pageant on Sunday, Sept. 13. Charles famously replaced the actress as Miss America after nude photos of Williams surfaced months after her victory.

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“I don’t know what that was all about. I have a feeling that was about ratings,” Charles, 52, told Inside Edition on Monday. “I think that as accomplished as she is, has worked so tirelessly for 32 years to build her career and to prove to America what she was always about, I’m not sure why she needed that apology.”

As previously reported, Williams, 52, returned to the pageant stage after three decades Sunday night — and received a mea culpa from the Miss America CEO.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars' pageant pasts

Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams onstage during the 2016 Miss America Competition

“I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years. You have lived your life in grace and dignity, and never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned,” Sam Haskell told Williams on stage during the live show. “Though none of us currently in the organization were involved then, on behalf of today’s organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams.”

He continued: “I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be.”

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Williams was dethroned 10 months after winning the coveted crown at the time. On Monday, she accepted the apology, stating that it was “so unexpected but so beautiful.”

After the scandal, Williams went on to have a highly successful career. Some of her acting credits include Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and 666 Park Avenue.

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