Vanessa Lynn Williams (born March 18, 1963) is an American singer, actress, and fashion designer. She initially gained recognition as the first woman of African-American descent to receive the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984 in 1983. However, a scandal arose the following year when, a few weeks prior to the end of her reign, Williams learned that Penthouse magazine would be publishing unauthorized nude photographs of her in an upcoming issue. Amid growing media controversy and scrutiny, Williams resigned as Miss America in July 1984 (under pressure from the Miss America Organization), and was replaced by first runner-up Miss New Jersey Suzette Charles. Thirty-two years later, Miss America CEO Sam Haskell offered her a public apology (during the Miss America 2016 pageant) for the events of 1984.

Vanessa Williams (born March 18, 1963) is an American actress and singer. In 1988, Williams released her debut album, The Right Stuff . The first single, "The Right Stuff", found success on the R&B chart, while the second single, "He's Got the Look ", found similar success on the same chart. The third single, "Dreamin' ", was a pop hit, becoming Williams's first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 8, and her first number one single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album reached platinum status in the US and earned her an NAACP Image Award and three Grammy Award nominations, including one for Best New Artist.

Star Bright is the fourth studio album and first Christmas album by Vanessa Williams, released in the US on November 5, 1996 on Mercury Records. It achieved critical acclaim and success as one of the best-selling holiday albums of 1996 and '97. It peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200, #24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #5 on the Top Holiday Albums.

"Love Is" is the title of a 1993 duet written by Tonio K, Michael Caruso and John Keller, and originally recorded and released by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams and American R&B recording artist Brian McKnight. The single originally appeared on the soundtrack to the television drama series Beverly Hills, 90210 ; and was also used in the spin-off series Melrose Place . After this exposure, the song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming McKnight's breakthrough hit and another hit for Williams. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where it spent three weeks at the summit.

"Just For Tonight" is the fourth single from Vanessa Williams' second studio album, The Comfort Zone (1991). The song was slightly remixed for the single and reached No. 2 on the US Adult Contemporary Charts. The single's B-side is "Whatever Happens", a song from her 1988 debut album The Right Stuff , while the CD single contains the previously unreleased song "Love Like This", which was later also to be included on the compilation album Love Songs (2004). The song tells about a woman who wants to share one more night with her lover before their relationship ends.