@Bold One No one disputes she won. She was awesome that night and has had a great career. She is not even close to being the most successful Miss America post pageant. That's absurd and it can be quantified. Why does one have to be the most successful. Just celebrate her beauty and compare her to no one. She's in a class by herself.
Let’s be honest- how many crowned Miss Americas in the past 40 years are actual household names? She is still beautiful and elegant over 30 years later
she won fair and square with the highest score. They wrong in the wrong and to self righteous to take that crown from her. Miss America 1984 is Vanessa Williams . Not Suszette Charles.
@@jessestewart169 Exactly. Suzette only wore the crown for seven weeks. Seven weeks wasn't going to kill the organization at all. They should've shown grace and forgiveness for something out of Vanessa's control, but then again, this was the conservative 80's and the Reagan years. 😑😑😑
Vanessa didn't pose nude to gain fame...she was young and was talked into it by a charismatic photographer who later tried to blackmail her after she won...then he released those pictures to penthouse...Vanessa Williams coined the phrase " Success is the Best Revenge"....She is the most famous, most scandalous, and most successful Miss America all-in-one in the entire history of the pageant because she has real talent. She and Suzette Charles made history this night and will always be remembered as such.
Who cares? Obviously, with the end result, few people do. Those were more than just nude photos. If Americans are so pro-GBLT as they claim to be, some the questionable photos should be celebrated, not shamed. They were great photos; the photographer did a great job as well. All's well that ends well.
I remember this so well. Her father was my music teacher in grade school so we had a special interest in this. When she won I got teary eyed - my whole house was screaming with happiness! Not only did she deserve it but it also had special meaning as the first black Miss America ever and at the time it felt like breaking yet another barrier. Most of all I was happy she won because she was talented and has proved that many times over the years.
Technically, Miss Vanessa Williams had knowingly violated the Miss America rules on 2 counts: 1) she knew when she entered and signed their contract that she had the very explicit pornographic photos in her past (not just “nude,” they were depictions of her having oral sex with another woman, still viewable online) and 2) she knew she’d had an abortion in her teens, and the pageant required contestants to “never have been pregnant.” Among a long list of other sexist requirements. However, those rules were misogynistic and dumb anyway. Good for her for proving that shit doesn’t matter one bit as to what a woman is worth or what she can accomplish in life. True class. 👍🏼
I heard that she and Suzette were seperated by only one point. I can't see how, couldn't have been that close, she was head and shoulders above the rest that week and that night!!
She is not only the most famous Miss America but the most beautiful and talented one. She will always be my Miss America and the one I think of first before all others.
Werk, Wilhelmina, WERRRRRK!!! I will never forget witnessing this live on TV and being so proud as a young 10 year-old boy that a beautiful black woman became the very first black Miss America. Regardless of that whole Penthouse situation, it never made a difference to me because she STILL became the most successful Miss America in HISTORY!!! Success is DEFINITELY the BEST revenge and she showed THEM!!!
Sadly, the media still defines her as the First Black Miss America Who Resigned Because She Posed Nude In Penthouse. It is like she's done nothing else in the 30+ years since and the chart-topping albums, Grammy nominations, Emmy nominations, successful acting career, etc., all pale in comparison to one mistake. If the media didn't constantly bring it up, I could easily forget that she ever won this competition.
Chauntel Bland while this is true it's important to realize that your life decisions stay with you. It's crazy I know especially since she was so young at the time but that in itself is a life lesson. We have all made some really dumb decisions as young adults. I don't think anyone bats an eye about hers. She has many fans!
She's done plenty in the years since. Vanessa did not hide in shame. My sister and I were jumping up and down the night she won.. We could not sleep that night! I have met her twice! Lovely woman.
Wowsers!! Vanessa Williams is sthnning. Hell, she still is today. It's refreshing to know that despite the release of the scandalous pics, she was able to still achieve success as both a pop/r&b singer and an accomplished actress. Just awesomeness personified !!
Love her! I was so proud of her! The first pageant she won was Miss Syracuse upstate, my hometown. Then Miss New York. I wonder if she would have competed downstate she would have won her local pageant? She definitely had star quality, that is for sure. I like how she just dropped the crown on head, no pins or nothing and Vanessa is like, "yea, I got this."
What a great memory! I remember seeing this on tv back in the day. One thing I remember is that I loved the gown she was wearing. Heh. Vanessa eventually became one of my absolute fave female singers. Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory!
The first time l saw Vanessa because she was so beautiful l thought she wasn't real I thought where did this incredibly beautiful woman come from is she real l mean WOW
I was Homecoming Queen in 83/84 it was one of my favorite moments of my reign, I was so proud of her,& still is. This is America first Black Queen,& they made her feel like she wasn’t worthy, Vanessa you are and always be our First Queen. Love you 😘
I am happy that this gorgeous lady overcame the horrible smear campaign by Penthouse and the media to become arguably the most famous Miss America of all! She is so talented and one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Here's to you, Vanessa - you really are a role model!
Vanessa Williams -- positively glows. Indeed she does. She possesses total outward beauty because I can see it. And she shines with total inward beauty because I can hear it. Go listen to her sing ... Alfie.
Lovely... sadly, of course, there are still the color bigots, the sex bigots, bigots of all kinds. This past election showed that. Yet, all these years later, Vanessa Williams is still beautiful inside and out. Just a great person!
The only Black American Woman ♀️ to Achieve The Iconic Historical Moment. And...Thirty-two plus years later. Mrs. Vanessa Williams is Gorgeous and still Beautifully talented as an Artist, Actress, Dancer, . Vanessa Williams is a remarkable entertainer also, as a true gifted "Headliner"!👏
I saw vanessa once back in the early 90's at an SNL end of season party. She was drop dead gorgeous in person. Of course we haveall aged 20 years since then.
I am happy for her too. She is a talented actress and a talented singer. I am sure it wasn't easy for her to bounce back from the incident, but she did it.
She said in her book that during pageant week she won a preliminary in swimsuit and a preliminary in talent. Everyone told her whenever that happens that person always wins Miss America. She did not believe she would win until he announced Suzette Charles as the first runner up. That's when she realized that what everyone had said was true and that she had won even before he called out her name.
A watershed moment in the history of the Miss America pageant. There was no doubt that the first Black woman to wear the crown would happen that night, but either Vanessa or Suzette would've worn the crown with excellence. They are both beautiful, well-spoken, intelligent and talented in their own rights. I strongly believe that Vanessa's choice of song, a number closely-identified with Barbra Streisand, was what gave her the winning edge. The nude photos scandal that almost drowned her career, only made her stronger and the most universally-remembered Miss America.
I remember that. I also remember the speech she gave when she relenquished her crown after the Penthouse pictures came out. And the hilarious thing is her career is still going while the Miss America pagent is on life support.
Read her biography and see her interviews She is African American, welsh, and native American. That is her ethnicity. You can call her black, welsh, and native American. Saying she is only black doesn't make sense. She is mixed.
I agree with u. Alot of people who are not black do not understand. That's why we get so upset about "others" tryin to dictate what a"real" black person looks like. If that's the case, I'm black and my sister is mixed because she is hell of alot lighter than me. Alot of non-blacks fail to realize that blacks have various shades within the same immediate family.
They never should have stripped her of her rightfully owned title. I remember this. I was so angry. We don’t know what people have to endure in order to make their mark.
They did not strip her of the title. She resigned from continuing on with her Miss America duties. She will always be a Miss America. The pageant officials explained that in conjunction with Vanessa Williams' special appearance at the pageant in 2015. That night a pageant official publicly apologized to her for any distress her resignation caused her.
It's official. MISS VANESSA has the best "kiss my ass" story in pageant history. She has become a worldwide celebrity with fans stretching as far as Canada to Australia. As she stated to Barbara Walters, "The best revenge is success." That's for all the haters that tried to destroy her 25 years ago. GO WILLY!!!
Some pageant observers that night say that Suzette was visibly upset at placing second. She certainly was a great talent, with a phenomenal voice. But talent isn't everything at Miss America. It's the composite score that matters. These things are mostly won in the interview in my opinion. Vanessa's career has been amazing, and where is Suzette now? It was nice that both of them got to wear the crown, because if there was ever a case for a tie, it was this night.
0:32 In September 2nd to 8th, 1989 edition of TV GUIDE, Rod McKuen, guest judge in 1983, states the judges were originally split between selecting Vanessa Williams as winner and Wanda Gayle Geddie. He stated they also always picked Suzette Charles as 1st runner-up.
This is Priceless. She shows me that a Royalty Dream can come true. I must play now" Imagine A King "by Whitney Houston. ⭐Queen Vanessa Williams ⭐Our ♥️ Miss America ♥️ Dr.Dixon 💗💗💗(Happiness)
Can't keep a good person down. When success is for you and God says soooo you can't be stopped no matter how hard one may try. She did it girl then and after they tried to destroy her. Much love ❤👏💯♥️🙏👍
Success is the best revenge. Vanessa Williams is THE most successful former Miss America ever. Way to go. I love you.
mike ritchie I agree with you 100% about Vanessa Williams being the most successful Miss America ever and just so beautiful!!!!!!!!
Lee Meriwether and Phyllis George would disagree.
She's grown younger
@Bold One No one disputes she won. She was awesome that night and has had a great career. She is not even close to being the most successful Miss America post pageant. That's absurd and it can be quantified. Why does one have to be the most successful. Just celebrate her beauty and compare her to no one. She's in a class by herself.
They shouldn't. Vanessa Williams has been more successful that both of them.
Let’s be honest- how many crowned Miss Americas in the past 40 years are actual household names? She is still beautiful and elegant over 30 years later
You're right. I can't think of a woman more beautiful than Vanessa Williams. I love her voice. She's just very cool.
So true!
Most beautiful and talented out of them all
I don't remember the names of any of the others.
Why did you arbitrarily stop at 40 years? Because Lee Meriwether, Mary Ann Mobley, Bess Myerson and Terry Anne Meewsen are still household names.
I was so proud. She is STILL so classy and beautiful!
_Of course_
Vanessa Williams will always be Miss America 1984 in my eyes. She was young when she did those nude photos, and had no idea they would come out.
Correct.
😍😍😍😍
Vanessa Williams is still a winner in my eyes!! Look what all she accomplished!!!🙋
she won fair and square with the highest score. They wrong in the wrong and to self righteous to take that crown from her. Miss America 1984 is Vanessa Williams . Not Suszette Charles.
I agree
@@jessestewart169 Exactly. Suzette only wore the crown for seven weeks. Seven weeks wasn't going to kill the organization at all. They should've shown grace and forgiveness for something out of Vanessa's control, but then again, this was the conservative 80's and the Reagan years. 😑😑😑
Stop trolling. Both women were Miss America 1984.
Vanessa didn't pose nude to gain fame...she was young and was talked into it by a charismatic photographer who later tried to blackmail her after she won...then he released those pictures to penthouse...Vanessa Williams coined the phrase " Success is the Best Revenge"....She is the most famous, most scandalous, and most successful Miss America all-in-one in the entire history of the pageant because she has real talent. She and Suzette Charles made history this night and will always be remembered as such.
that's right curse that mean dirty bastard to hell.
time to do porn
I remember this moment! I was SO HAPPY!!!
Who cares? Obviously, with the end result, few people do. Those were more than just nude photos. If Americans are so pro-GBLT as they claim to be, some the questionable photos should be celebrated, not shamed. They were great photos; the photographer did a great job as well. All's well that ends well.
@@darrellkramer8097 Yep. Look at your first lady. Hypocritical Repugs are fine with her nude pics with another female and the fact she was an escort.
Ms. Williams certainly had the last laugh. Talented, beautiful and hardworking!
Yup!
Still laughing 😂❤
Still the first Black woman to win Miss America!!! Iconic!!!
But she dont black!
@@User23987 she is black lol
She mix not black.
@@scrolltestimonial Both her mom and dad are both are mixed with black and white
I still get the goosebumps
I remember this so well. Her father was my music teacher in grade school so we had a special interest in this. When she won I got teary eyed - my whole house was screaming with happiness! Not only did she deserve it but it also had special meaning as the first black Miss America ever and at the time it felt like breaking yet another barrier. Most of all I was happy she won because she was talented and has proved that many times over the years.
👑👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤❤❤❤
Technically, Miss Vanessa Williams had knowingly violated the Miss America rules on 2 counts: 1) she knew when she entered and signed their contract that she had the very explicit pornographic photos in her past (not just “nude,” they were depictions of her having oral sex with another woman, still viewable online) and 2) she knew she’d had an abortion in her teens, and the pageant required contestants to “never have been pregnant.” Among a long list of other sexist requirements.
However, those rules were misogynistic and dumb anyway. Good for her for proving that shit doesn’t matter one bit as to what a woman is worth or what she can accomplish in life. True class. 👍🏼
Yes! And for the first time ever, two Black women were crowned in the same year!
What a powerful moment! I love watching and hearing the cheers and applauses for her!!!!! She was definitely a crowd favorite!
I heard that she and Suzette were seperated by only one point. I can't see how, couldn't have been that close, she was head and shoulders above the rest that week and that night!!
She is not only the most famous Miss America but the most beautiful and talented one. She will always be my Miss America and the one I think of first before all others.
Werk, Wilhelmina, WERRRRRK!!! I will never forget witnessing this live on TV and being so proud as a young 10 year-old boy that a beautiful black woman became the very first black Miss America. Regardless of that whole Penthouse situation, it never made a difference to me because she STILL became the most successful Miss America in HISTORY!!! Success is DEFINITELY the BEST revenge and she showed THEM!!!
What a beautiful black woman.
Period ^
Absolutely beautiful ! She deserved that crown and more.
Sadly, the media still defines her as the First Black Miss America Who Resigned Because She Posed Nude In Penthouse. It is like she's done nothing else in the 30+ years since and the chart-topping albums, Grammy nominations, Emmy nominations, successful acting career, etc., all pale in comparison to one mistake.
If the media didn't constantly bring it up, I could easily forget that she ever won this competition.
Well she was the first black Miss America! That's what it is!
+Chauntel Bland I so agree with you!!
very true! She looks radiant. I wasn't even born. UA-cam I love you.
Chauntel Bland while this is true it's important to realize that your life decisions stay with you. It's crazy I know especially since she was so young at the time but that in itself is a life lesson. We have all made some really dumb decisions as young adults. I don't think anyone bats an eye about hers. She has many fans!
She's done plenty in the years since. Vanessa did not hide in shame. My sister and I were jumping up and down the night she won.. We could not sleep that night!
I have met her twice! Lovely woman.
The most beautiful and talented Miss America ever!! There never was a miss america like Vanessa Williams!! She is the Miss America icon!!!
Wowsers!!
Vanessa Williams is sthnning.
Hell, she still is today.
It's refreshing to know that despite the release of the scandalous pics, she was able to still achieve success as both a pop/r&b singer and an accomplished actress.
Just awesomeness personified !!
The most beautiful and most popular Miss America ever ❤❤❤
I don't remember any other Miss America. Do you?
John R. McCommas Kenya moore
Jade W Kenya Moore was Miss USA.
Mary Anne Mobley and Heather Whitestone.
#KenyaMoore
Mary Ann Mobley.
This is when the pageant was truly magical.
She made history and we LOVE her for it. She is still a triple threat and making gains for ALL women of ALL races.
Love her! I was so proud of her! The first pageant she won was Miss Syracuse upstate, my hometown. Then Miss New York. I wonder if she would have competed downstate she would have won her local pageant? She definitely had star quality, that is for sure. I like how she just dropped the crown on head, no pins or nothing and Vanessa is like, "yea, I got this."
Outstanding moment in history. My Miss America. She won in life.
The crowd loved her!!!! ♡♡♡♡
Boy that was a memorable night...I'll never forget it. I was in college and was totally floored, but so happy at the same time
What a great memory! I remember seeing this on tv back in the day. One thing I remember is that I loved the gown she was wearing. Heh. Vanessa eventually became one of my absolute fave female singers. Thanks for sharing this wonderful memory!
I was watching the pageant that evening! Vanessa was stunningly gorgeous!
I totally remember watching this back in the day - who woulda known that Vanessa would become one of my favorite singers? :) Thanks for posting this!
THE TRUE MISS AMERICA 1984
The first time l saw Vanessa because she was so beautiful l thought she wasn't real
I thought where did this incredibly beautiful woman come from is she real l mean WOW
She really was the best choice! Talented in everyway. I remember when she won I was so happy for her!!
I was Homecoming Queen in 83/84 it was one of my favorite moments of my reign, I was so proud of her,& still is. This is America first Black Queen,& they made her feel like she wasn’t worthy, Vanessa you are and always be our First Queen. Love you 😘
I was always in awww of her beauty and have enjoyed her success over the years!
She is one of the prettiest Miss America ever to be crowned.
Go Vanessa! You took the high road and soared. Always a class act no matter what.
I love Vanessa Williams! Love hearing about her story and understanding how she got to be where she is today.
Vanessa Williams has the most beautiful smile. Bravo!
BEAUTIFUL❤BEAUTIFUL ❤GORGEOUS❤
Two black girls at the top!!
Black girl magic!!
A woman of class through rough times
A super beautifull woman!!
She still got it and also is a great singer and actress!
Yes!! Vanessa got it all!!
I am happy that this gorgeous lady overcame the horrible smear campaign by Penthouse and the media to become arguably the most famous Miss America of all! She is so talented and one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Here's to you, Vanessa - you really are a role model!
I was a teen when I witnessed this event. When her crown was taken, her music career shot up sky rocket immediately. She has been busy every since.
She stills gorgeous!
She won that deserving, hands down
Vanessa Williams -- positively glows. Indeed she does. She possesses total outward beauty because I can see it. And she shines with total inward beauty because I can hear it. Go listen to her sing ... Alfie.
its amazing that "There she Miss America" was not used when Vanessa took her first walk.
Lovely... sadly, of course, there are still the color bigots, the sex bigots, bigots of all kinds. This past election showed that.
Yet, all these years later, Vanessa Williams is still beautiful inside and out. Just a great person!
She stood out period! I was 4 but I remember this!
What a dress!!!! She made great choices. Her team knew what to do.
Thank you for this premiere in history.
The only Black American Woman ♀️ to Achieve The Iconic Historical Moment. And...Thirty-two plus years later. Mrs. Vanessa Williams is Gorgeous and still Beautifully talented as an Artist, Actress, Dancer, . Vanessa Williams is a remarkable entertainer also, as a true gifted "Headliner"!👏
I remember watching this on tv 1984😀. Vanessa is still a gem that triumph through and came out on top!! 😀👏🏿👏🏿
Such an Awesome moment !! History !!
I saw vanessa once back in the early 90's at an SNL end of season party. She was drop dead gorgeous in person. Of course we haveall aged 20 years since then.
❤❤❤ venessa Williams pretty still today🎉🎉
And it's still the best Miss America Pageant there ever was I think she still didn't history I think it's the one that will forever be the best❤
Most talented and those natural beauty..
She remained seen for her talent... Love her ❤️💕❤️❤️💕❤️
Simply stunning!!!!
Always watched Miss America growing up in 70's 80's Rock On
Shes had such an incredible career I forget sometimes how it started. Still a very georgeous lady
Congratulations Queen
She's gotten even more beautiful with age. What a class act.
Suzette Charles 1st runner up is also black...she would where the crown when Vanessa had to resign. They both made history this night.
She's amazing 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Still WINNING to this day
I totally got chills when they announced her name and everyone went wild. This was just 7 years before I was born!!
So beautiful and elegant. I remember watching this when I was a kid. Love ya' Vanessa 💖💖💖👑
All classy and pretty ladies, man Ms. Vanessa Williams, what a beautiful lady and talent.... She has great style. Love from Bangalore, India
I am happy for her too. She is a talented actress and a talented singer. I am sure it wasn't easy for her to bounce back from the incident, but she did it.
she seemed to have the demeanor of, "I knew I was gonna win..."
228candy what a horrible comment n I'm a dark skin black man. Marjorie wasn't even attractive.
That's dumbest post I've read in a long time. No matter what shade it is, BLACK is BLACK!
She said in her book that during pageant week she won a preliminary in swimsuit and a preliminary in talent. Everyone told her whenever that happens that person always wins Miss America. She did not believe she would win until he announced Suzette Charles as the first runner up. That's when she realized that what everyone had said was true and that she had won even before he called out her name.
Vanessa Williams was the best Miss America in the history of that pageant!!!
One of the most stunningly beautiful woman period! 😊❤️🙏🏻👑🇺🇸
She's beauty and she's grace
I couldn't take my eyes off her ever since.
This show was aired in September 1983.
Amazing -- she's more gorgeous now than then!
A watershed moment in the history of the Miss America pageant. There was no doubt that the first Black woman to wear the crown would happen that night, but either Vanessa or Suzette would've worn the crown with excellence. They are both beautiful, well-spoken, intelligent and talented in their own rights. I strongly believe that Vanessa's choice of song, a number closely-identified with Barbra Streisand, was what gave her the winning edge. The nude photos scandal that almost drowned her career, only made her stronger and the most universally-remembered Miss America.
I remember that. I also remember the speech she gave when she relenquished her crown after the Penthouse pictures came out. And the hilarious thing is her career is still going while the Miss America pagent is on life support.
GONE MS VANESSA WILLIAMS WE LOVE YOU YOU STILL THE BLACK MS AMERICA LOL!
A great example of when scandal sometimes helps and not hurts! Talented and beautiful for sure Miss America 😘
She became a successful Singer and Actress... Even married a NBA Basketball Player...👍👍
Read her biography and see her interviews
She is African American, welsh, and native American. That is her ethnicity. You can call her black, welsh, and native American. Saying she is only black doesn't make sense. She is mixed.
Best miss America ever.
I agree with u. Alot of people who are not black do not understand. That's why we get so upset about "others" tryin to dictate what a"real" black person looks like. If that's the case, I'm black and my sister is mixed because she is hell of alot lighter than me. Alot of non-blacks fail to realize that blacks have various shades within the same immediate family.
The most genuine regal unfading beauty…….Miss America Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams was absolutely stunning.
she didn't even break a sweat, barely shed a tear. its like she knew. she was so graceful.
They never should have stripped her of her rightfully owned title. I remember this. I was so angry. We don’t know what people have to endure in order to make their mark.
They did not strip her of the title. She resigned from continuing on with her Miss America duties. She will always be a Miss America. The pageant officials explained that in conjunction with Vanessa Williams' special appearance at the pageant in 2015. That night a pageant official publicly apologized to her for any distress her resignation caused her.
It's official. MISS VANESSA has the best "kiss my ass" story in pageant history. She has become a worldwide celebrity with fans stretching as far as Canada to Australia. As she stated to Barbara Walters, "The best revenge is success." That's for all the haters that tried to destroy her 25 years ago. GO WILLY!!!
You are still Miss America in my heart 👍💎🌹 You are my inspiration💜
Very classy. So happy she went on to such great success
Some pageant observers that night say that Suzette was visibly upset at placing second. She certainly was a great talent, with a phenomenal voice. But talent isn't everything at Miss America. It's the composite score that matters. These things are mostly won in the interview in my opinion. Vanessa's career has been amazing, and where is Suzette now? It was nice that both of them got to wear the crown, because if there was ever a case for a tie, it was this night.
RIP, Gary Collins. (1938-2012) He died today in Biloxi, Miss.
The most successful Miss America in the history of the pageant!
0:32 In September 2nd to 8th, 1989 edition of TV GUIDE, Rod McKuen, guest judge in 1983, states the judges were originally split between selecting Vanessa Williams as winner and Wanda Gayle Geddie. He stated they also always picked Suzette Charles as 1st runner-up.
Vanessa Williams is all that needs to be said. Always the best!
This is Priceless. She shows me that a Royalty Dream can come true. I must play now" Imagine A King "by Whitney Houston. ⭐Queen Vanessa Williams ⭐Our ♥️ Miss America ♥️ Dr.Dixon 💗💗💗(Happiness)
Vanessa will always be my favorite Miss America❤
All that she had to overcome....she is still MISS AMERICA!
Vanessa keeps it real .She is beautiful ❤
Can't keep a good person down. When success is for you and God says soooo you can't be stopped no matter how hard one may try. She did it girl then and after they tried to destroy her. Much love ❤👏💯♥️🙏👍