Save the breast for last! A limited series biopic about singer, actress and former Miss America Vanessa Williams is in the works, detailing the controversy surrounding her short reign as the face of the famed pageant.
In 1984, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America, becoming the first Black woman to do so. In July 1984, just two months before a new Miss America would be crowned, Williams added another first to her reign: becoming the first (and so far only) winner to resign, following Penthouse’s publishing of nude photos. The title was then given to the runner-up, Suzette Charles, who will most certainly never have a movie made about her life. Interestingly, Vanessa Williams later served as judge of the Miss America competition, where she received a public apology from the organization.
Vanessa Williams has been supportive and cooperative of the project, which is set to be produced by Sony Pictures Television.
In 1984, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America, becoming the first Black woman to do so. In July 1984, just two months before a new Miss America would be crowned, Williams added another first to her reign: becoming the first (and so far only) winner to resign, following Penthouse’s publishing of nude photos. The title was then given to the runner-up, Suzette Charles, who will most certainly never have a movie made about her life. Interestingly, Vanessa Williams later served as judge of the Miss America competition, where she received a public apology from the organization.
Vanessa Williams has been supportive and cooperative of the project, which is set to be produced by Sony Pictures Television.
- 9/29/2022
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
After a number of states have started a revolt against the leadership of the Miss America Organization headed by former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, the national organization has terminated the licenses of four states and threatening another 15 with probation.
The rebellion ignited when a number of states said they were not happy with the way Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper ran the organization. It was also around the same time some of the state officials were unhappy with the elimination of the swimsuit competition — but officials say the revolt wasn’t because of that.
Although the organization went on a spree of revoking licenses, they did, however, thank the officials who supported them.st Miss America pageant without a swimsuit competition.
According to the Associated Press, Georgia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania were among the states that were notified that their licenses have been revoked. A fourth state has also been added to that list,...
The rebellion ignited when a number of states said they were not happy with the way Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper ran the organization. It was also around the same time some of the state officials were unhappy with the elimination of the swimsuit competition — but officials say the revolt wasn’t because of that.
Although the organization went on a spree of revoking licenses, they did, however, thank the officials who supported them.st Miss America pageant without a swimsuit competition.
According to the Associated Press, Georgia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania were among the states that were notified that their licenses have been revoked. A fourth state has also been added to that list,...
- 10/9/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
During a preliminary round in the Miss America competition, the contestant from West Virginia said President Donald Trump has “caused a lot of division,” according to the Associated Press.
Madeline Collins, Miss West Virginia, made the comment Friday night during the last preliminary stage of the competition in Atlantic City, N.J. ABC will broadcast the crowning of Miss America in a live broadcast Sunday night hosted by Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Collins was asked an onstage question Friday night about what she feels is the most serious issue facing the nation. According to the AP, she replied, “Donald Trump is the biggest issue our country faces. Unfortunately he has caused a lot of division in our country.”
Contestants’ responses are limited to 20 seconds, so Collins did not add any other details.
The comments are just the latest commotion for the nearly century-old pageant.
Organizers have...
Madeline Collins, Miss West Virginia, made the comment Friday night during the last preliminary stage of the competition in Atlantic City, N.J. ABC will broadcast the crowning of Miss America in a live broadcast Sunday night hosted by Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Collins was asked an onstage question Friday night about what she feels is the most serious issue facing the nation. According to the AP, she replied, “Donald Trump is the biggest issue our country faces. Unfortunately he has caused a lot of division in our country.”
Contestants’ responses are limited to 20 seconds, so Collins did not add any other details.
The comments are just the latest commotion for the nearly century-old pageant.
Organizers have...
- 9/8/2018
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has been tapped to host the 2019 Miss America Competition. She’ll be joined by television personality Ross Mathews as co-host for the competition. Mathews will anchor reports from backstage and provide commentary and updates from the arena floor and a skybox position at Boardwalk Hall.
“I am honored to be invited to host ‘The 2019 Miss America Competition,’” said Inaba. “I choreographed the Miss America Competition for years and am thrilled to be this year’s host. I’m humbled to have the chance to be part of an evening that will give young women the opportunity to further their education and crown a new Miss America. I have always been a fan of the Miss America Organization that consistently encourages women to be strong, intelligent and radiant women in the world,” she added.
“Since I’ll never get to compete for the Miss America crown,...
“I am honored to be invited to host ‘The 2019 Miss America Competition,’” said Inaba. “I choreographed the Miss America Competition for years and am thrilled to be this year’s host. I’m humbled to have the chance to be part of an evening that will give young women the opportunity to further their education and crown a new Miss America. I have always been a fan of the Miss America Organization that consistently encourages women to be strong, intelligent and radiant women in the world,” she added.
“Since I’ll never get to compete for the Miss America crown,...
- 8/29/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The plot of the Miss America bullying panel began to thicken this morning on Megyn Kelly Today when former Miss America winners Suzette Charles (Miss America 1984) and Heather Whitestone (Miss America 1995) came forward to confirm Cara Mund’s claims that Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America herself, bullied her and others.
The two were “shocked and appalled” by the Mund’s open letter from last week claiming that she was bullied and put “on a shelf” by the organization since Carlson became the chairwoman of the board of directors. However, Charles and Whitestone said they were not surprised. Charles said “Gretchen has been bullying for a long time” which has resulted in many resignations from their office in Atlantic City.
Charles said that Carlson has taken “no responsibility for the way she has treated” Mund.
On Sunday, Carlson responded to Mund’s bullying claims saying that she had never bullied...
The two were “shocked and appalled” by the Mund’s open letter from last week claiming that she was bullied and put “on a shelf” by the organization since Carlson became the chairwoman of the board of directors. However, Charles and Whitestone said they were not surprised. Charles said “Gretchen has been bullying for a long time” which has resulted in many resignations from their office in Atlantic City.
Charles said that Carlson has taken “no responsibility for the way she has treated” Mund.
On Sunday, Carlson responded to Mund’s bullying claims saying that she had never bullied...
- 8/20/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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. "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 [...]...
- 9/15/2015
- Us Weekly
Former Miss America Suzette Charles thinks that the apology Vanessa Williams received from the pageant on Sunday’s telecast was not exactly genuine. “I don’t know what that was all about. I have a feeling that was about ratings,” Charles told Inside Edition. “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.” Charles also said she believes that the apology may have been about more than just taking Williams title away.
- 9/14/2015
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
Vanessa Lynn Williams is a strikingly beautiful, well respected, and multi-talented star of the stage and screen. This critically acclaimed American actress/model/singer/songwriter arrived on March 18, 1963, leaving no doubt that a star was born. As if somehow predicting the future, her parents, Helen and Milton Augustine Williams Jr., issued a birth announcement which read "Here she is, Miss America." After competing in beauty pageants since the early 1980's, Vanessa was indeed crowned Miss America 1984 on September 17, 1983, making history as the first African-American woman to earn the title. Her parents, both half white/half African American, were music teachers who recognized and encouraged Vanessa's love of the arts from early on. Vanessa and her younger brother Chris, also an actor, were raised in a predominantly white, middle-class town in the suburban area of Milwood, New York. As a child, Vanessa studied piano and the french horn, but her primary...
- 12/31/2009
- by jmaurer@corp.popstar.com (Jennifer Maurer)
- PopStar
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