b. Vanessa Lynn Williams, 18th March 1963, Millwood, New York, U.S.A.
Vanessa Williams is an accomplished Soul singer, as well as an actress, producer and fashion model.
An ex-Miss America, she broke several pre-conceptions regarding the roles of women in many particular aspects of public life.
the right stuff - 1988 / the comfort zone - 1991 / the sweetest days - 1994 / star bright - 1996
In 1988 she began a career as a Soul singer, with the album ‘The Right Stuff’, which was well received by the critics.
The album contained her version of the Guinn Family song ‘Dreamin’, which reached number one on the R&B chart that year.
A follow up album entitled ‘The Comfort Zone’, was released in 1991.
The album reached number one on the Billboard R&B Album Chart, and featured the number-one hit ‘Save the Best for Last’, along with a cover of the Isley Brothers evergreen ‘Work To Do’.
In 1994, she appeared on stage in the musical ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’.
The same year she released her third album ‘The Sweetest Days’, both written and produced by Babyface.
The song ‘You Can’t Run’ became hugely popular on the better Soul radio stations.
The album also contained ‘The Way That You Love’, and earned her two Grammy Award nominations.
In 1995, Her song ‘Colors of the Wind’, won an Oscar for the Best Original Song from the Disney film ‘Pocahontas’.
The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Further albums included two Christmas albums, ‘Star Bright’, (in 1996), and ‘Silver & Gold’ (in 2004).
next - 1997 / silver and gold - 2004 / everlasting love - 2005 / the real thing - 2009
She then released the albums ‘Next’, in 1997, and ‘Everlasting Love’, in 2005.
In total, Vanessa has sold more than six million records and has received 15 Grammy Award nominations.
In 2009, she released her eighth studio album entitled ‘The Real Thing’, for the Concord Records imprint.
The album showcased songs written and/or produced by Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Bebel Gilberto, and Rex Rideout.
Extra curricular non-musical activities included a lead in the film Eraser in 1996.
She starred in several movies, including ‘Soul Food’, ‘Dance with Me’, ‘Shaft’ and ‘Johnson Family Vacation’.
Between 2006 to 2010, she played Wilhelmina Slater in the series ‘Ugly Betty’.
Between 2010 and 2012, she starred in ‘Desperate Housewives’.
Albums:
The Right Stuff (Wing Records 1988)
The Comfort Zone (Wing Records 1992)
The Sweetest Days (Wing Records 1995)
Star Bright (Mercury Records 1996)
Next (Mercury Records 1997)
Love Songs (U.S. Mercury Records 2004)
The Real Thing (Concord Records 2009)
