The first-ever Vanessa Williams Miss America appearance, way back in 1983, was a historical landmark for the biggest beauty pageant in the country, as she became the first-ever African American winner - but before she could finish her reign as the most beautiful woman in the United States, she was forced to resign because of a scandal regarding some old pictures Penthouse Magazine published of her.
After the photos came out during her 10th month holding the title, Vanessa Williams' Miss America run ended abruptly, as she had to resign due to the scandal - and now, three decades later, she returns to the pageant's stage as a judge as a very successful actress and singer!
According to Billboard, the announcement of Vanessa Williams' Miss America new job was made earlier this week, and she will be joined by celebrity judges Brett Eldredge, Taya Kyle, Kevin O'Leary, Amy Purdy, Zendaya and Danica McKellar in a show hosted by Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke-Charvet with music curated by Nick Jonas.
In fact, this will mark the first Vanessa Williams Miss America return after the 32 year-old controversy, and she certainly came out on top, with an amazing career spanning for decades that has seen her succeed in theater and get three Emmy Award nominations for her work in the comedy "Ugly Betty."
As Vanity Fair reports, the scandal basically jump-started her career, but it was a major issue at the time, as she said she had never agreed for the pictures to be published and felt "raped" when they were released, in what could be considered a very early celebrity nude leak long before the one suffered by artists like Jennifer Lawrence decades later.
"Vanessa Williams made history by becoming the first African-American to win the competition when she was crowned Miss America ... and she went on to conquer the worlds of music, Broadway, television, and film," said Sam Haskell, the executive chairman and chief executive officer of the pageant, when announcing Vanessa Williams' Miss America return, Newsmax reports. "It is a great honor to welcome her back to the competition as our head judge."
Will Vanessa Williams' Miss America appearance also mark her standing up to the organization after wronging her? Find out during the September 13 broadcast!