Vanessa Lynn Williams was born on March 18, 1963 in Bronx, New York, USA. Her parents being both music teachers, encouraged a career in the music industry.

She majored in musical theater at Syracuse University, and in 1983, won the Miss America title. Vanessa has since been honored with two NAACP Image Awards, nine Grammy Award nominations and a number of New York Music Awards. Her musical accomplishments began with her first release, "The Right Stuff" (1988). In 1991, Williams released the multi-million seller "The Comfort Zone", which featured the hit single "Save the Best for Last". Finally in 1996 her latest LP was released titled The "Sweetest days". With not only releasing her own music Vanessa Williams has also contributed to several unique musical projects, including "Ain't Nothin' but a She Thing" (Salt & Pepper), an all-female concept record. Vanessa reached another personal and professional pinnacle last year when she sang the American national anthem on a telecast of Super Bowl XXX. She also performed live at the Academy Awards singing "Colors of the Wind" which was her nominated song described above.

Vanessa Williams has received widespread acclaim for her television performances, which include the mini-series "The Jacksons: An American Dream," the television movies "Stompin' at the Savoy", "The Boy Who Loved Christmas" and the Emmy-winning special "Motown Returns to the Apollo". Her more recent television appearances include the mini-series "Nothing Lasts Forever," based on a Sidney Sheldon bestseller; the revival of the musical "Bye, Bye Birdie," opposite Tyne Daly, Jason Alexander and Chynna Phillips, and the animated "Beauty and the Beast" episode of HBO's "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child. Vanessa had her own Christmas special titled "The Vanessa Williams Christmas Special" on NBC. It featured guest such as Baby face and Shania Twain. In November of 1994 Vanessa appeard in an episode of Star Trek, playing the role of Arandis, a hostess on the Federation vacation planet of Risea.

Vanessa Williams has had a distinguished career in music, and also in theater, television and Hollywood movies. She recently ended a triumphant nine-month run on Broadway in "Kiss of the Spider Woman," as well as releasing her third album, "The Sweetest Days", which went platinum, and her single, "Colors of the Wind," from the soundtrack to "Pocahontas," won an Academy and Golden Globe Award.

Misspellings & aliases:
Vanesa, Venesa, Vannesa, Vannessa, Vennesa, Wanessa, Vanissa, Villiams, Wiliams, Viliams, Willeyams, Willyams, Wylliams, Williems, Wiliamms.