The 1984 Miss America winner Vanessa Williams, who resigned her Miss America crown after Penthouse published nude photos that she took in her past, will return to the Miss America stage after 32 years. But this time, the beauty queen will be back as a contest judge.
“For years, I’d walk into an audition and feel the judgment,” she told People in 2012. “I was a scandalous Miss America. Vanessa the Undressa. But I silently thought, one day you’ll see what I’m made of.” She shared the news in an interview with Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America”.
Willimas has many roses in her basket – She went on to become a Grammy-nominated singer for her 1991 album “The Comfort Zone”, further she was nominated for an Emmy for her work on ABC’s Ugly Betty, and a Tony-nominated performer for 2002’s Into the Woods. She will join the other celebrity judges, Brett Eldredge, Taya Kyle, Danica McKellar, Kevin O’Leary, Amy Purdy, and Zendaya for the 95th Miss America pageant. The 2016 Miss America competition will be hosted by Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke-Charvet and will air on Sep 13’ 2015 at 9 pm ET on ABC.