Before Vanessa Williams was stripped of her title as Miss America in 1983, she made history, securing the title as the first-ever African-American to win the crown.
After wowing the judges, the model was dethroned just seven months later after Penthouse magazine purchased and printed unauthorized nude images of Williams taken before her pageant days. The stunner was forced to relinquish her title and runner-up, Suzette Charles, was crowned Miss America 1984.
Williams, however, rebounded and launched a successful career as an actress and singer, earning herself Tony, Grammy, and even Emmy nominations. In 1988 she released her debuted album, The Right Stuff, made her debut on Broadway in Kiss Of the Spider Woman in 1994, and in 1995 she lent her vocals to Pocahontas‘ Oscar-winning song “Color of the Wind.” After appearing in flicks including Soul Food and Johnson Family Vacation, Williams later starred in ABC hit Ugly Betty.
Fast-forward to 2015 and the disgraced pageant winner is making a comeback to the Miss America stage. As previously announced, the singer will help judge the 2015 competition this Sunday, Sept. 13.
“I’ve got a perfect platform to kind of be reintroduced to the organization that catapulted me into notoriety,” the 52-year-old explained to Robin Roberts during an interview on Good Morning America on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Watch the video above to relive Vanessa’s crowning moment.
