{"title":"Vanessa Williams","role":"Performer","image":"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/roundabout-theatre-company\/image\/upload\/c_fill,g_auto,h_880,w_880\/f_auto\/q_auto\/v1710281812\/Headshots\/2023-2024\/Kristin\/Vanessa-Williams-Credit-Abeiku-Arthur?_a=BAAAV6DQ","lede":null,"content":"

VANESSA WILLIAMS<\/strong> is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today. Having sold millions of records worldwide, Vanessa has also achieved numerous #1 and Top 10 hits on various Billboard Album and Singles charts, from Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary to Holiday, Latin, Gospel and Jazz.<\/p>

Her discography includes such releases as her debut album, The Right Stuff<\/em>, The Comfort Zone<\/em>, The Sweetest Days<\/em>, Next<\/em>, Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years<\/em>, Everlasting Love <\/em>and The Real Thing<\/em>. Her holiday albums, Star Bright<\/em> and Silver & Gold<\/em> became instant holiday classics. Her numerous hit singles include \u201cSave the Best For Last,\u201d \u201cDreamin\u2019,\u201d \u201cThe Right Stuff,\u201d \u201cWork to Do\u201d \u201cOh How the Years Go By\u201d and \u201cLove Is,\u201d among many others.<\/p>

Her critically acclaimed work in film, television, recordings and the Broadway stage has been recognized by every major industry award affiliate including 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations, 7 NAACP Image Awards and 3 Satellite Awards. Her Platinum single \"Colors of the Wind,\" from Disney\u2019s \u201cPocahontas,\u201d won the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.<\/p>

A graduate of Syracuse University, Vanessa is a strong advocate for equal rights, especially concerning the gay community and minorities. She was honored with the Human Rights Campaign Ally for Equality Award for her humanitarian contributions. Vanessa also achieved a career pinnacle with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. Vanessa\u2019s autobiography, You Have No Idea<\/em>, co-written with her mother Helen Williams, was a New York Times Best Seller in 2012. In 2020, Vanessa released Bubble Kisses<\/em>, her first picture book for children, which tells the story of a young girl with the ability to transform into a mermaid. This effervescent, lively tale is based on a song which is also available with the book and as a download. Bubble Kisses<\/em> was honored with The American Book Fest Award, The National Indie Excellence Award and The International Book Award in the Category of Best Children\u2019s Picture Book \u2013 Hardcover Fiction.<\/p>

Vanessa currently stars in the world premiere of Selina Fillinger\u2019s new Broadway comedy, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive<\/em>, directed by Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman with an all-female cast featuring Lilli Cooper, Lea DeLaria, Rachel Dratch, Julianne Hough, Suzy Nakamura, and Julie White. Her Broadway credits include Kiss of the Spider Woman<\/em>, St. Louis Woman<\/em>, Into the Woods<\/em>, Sondheim on Sondheim<\/em>, and After Midnight<\/em>.<\/p>

She co-starred with Cicely Tyson in The Trip to Bountiful<\/em>, (the #1 play of the 2013 season) and headlined a special limited engagement of Hey, Look Me Over<\/em> at New York City Center in 2018. She starred in the revival of City of Angels<\/em> in London\u2019s The West End and a special performance of Stephen Sondheim\u2019s Anyone Can Whistle<\/em> at Carnegie Hall.<\/p>

Her many film credits include \u201cEraser,\u201d \u201cSoul Food,\u201d \u201cShaft,\u201d \u201cDance With Me,\u201d \u201cHoodlum,\u201d \u201cLight It Up\u201d and \u201cJohnson Family Vacation.\u201d On television, she starred in ABC\u2019s global hit series \u201cUgly Betty\u201d and \u201cDesperate Housewives,\u201d as well as \u201cDaytime Divas,\u201d \u201c666 Park Avenue\u201d and such television movies and miniseries as \u201cBye Bye Birdie\u201d and \u201cThe Odyssey.\u201d<\/p>

In 2021, Vanessa joined the star-studded panel of judges for RuPaul\u2019s Paramount+ competition series, \u201cQueen of the Universe,\u201d along with Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel and Leona Lewis. Hosted by Graham Norton and produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, the series will return for a second season with Melanie Brown (Spice Girls\u2019 Mel B) joining the celebrity judging panel.<\/p>

Vanessa is the mother of four\u2014Melanie, Jillian, Devin and Sasha. Her charitable endeavors are many and varied, embracing and supporting such organizations as Black Theatre United, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Special Olympics, Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS and several others.<\/p>

Vanessa is one of the world\u2019s most accomplished concert artists, appearing regularly on the concert and cabaret stage and performing with the most prestigious symphony orchestras in the world. Her upcoming BMG album is set for release early 2024.<\/p>","website":"","alt":null}