Vanessa Williams: proves that having the right stuff has paid off

In the hair and make-up trailer on the lot of Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, actress and singer Vanessa Williams begins the transformation into her TV character Wilhelmina Slater, the villainess on ABC's "Ugly Betty"--one of the highest-rated new shows this fall.

As Wilhelmina, she is the creative director of the high fashion magazine MODE who'll stop at nothing to become editor-in-chief. That includes stepping on the show's star, Betty, played by America Ferrera.

"Vanessa has this amazing range," states Silvio Horta, the show's executive producer and creator. "She has this ability to play this deliciously wicked person. We could not be any luckier to have her."

Williams, who no longer uses her middle initial "L" (for Lynne) to distinguish herself from the other Vanessa Williams from the Showtime TV series "Soul Food," says that she enjoys playing a role she feels was tailor-made for her.

"It's fun being able to take things to the limit," says Williams of the character she calls "savvy."

When asked to describe herself in one word she pauses. As her foundation is applied the make-up artist chimes in and says, "fearless." Williams smiles and agrees.

"You get paralyzed in fear," she explains. "I've had wonderful opportunities in my life that I have seized because I have not been afraid. If you're too afraid to do anything, you really won't do anything in life."

Fearlessness helped Williams make history by becoming the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America in 1983. Her reign, however, was short-lived. After nude photos were discovered and published in Penthouse magazine, she was forced to relinquish her crown. The scandal would have made most crumble, but not Williams.

"It was an experience that was painful and forced me to grow," she recalls. "It didn't take away my talent, didn't take away my future, didn't take away my life. The experience propelled me to conquer and keep achieving."

Her next major achievement came in 1988 with the release of her debut album The Right Stuff. The project, which included the hits Dreamin and Darlin I went gold and earned her three Grammy nominations.

The hits continued as a new phase of her career took off in movies. Co-starring with Arnold Sehwarzenegger in the 1996 film Eraser marked the beginning of a new string of movie hits, which included Hoodlum, Shaft, The Johnson Family Vacation and the family drama Soul Food.

"Vanessa has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen," says Vivica A. Fox of her Soul Food co-star. "Her eyes also reflect the beauty that is within."

Currently Williams is receiving rave reviews for her role in the independent film My Brother. The movie, presently touring in major cities, is scheduled to hit theaters in February. Williams will also appear in the independent movie Somebody Like You slated for a 2007 release.

The one job in entertainment Williams says she enjoys the most is performing on Broadway. "I get a chance to do it all--sing, dance and act," she says. In 1994 she was applauded for her role in Kiss of the Spider Woman and in 2002 she received a Tony nomination for playing a witch in Into the Woods. Williams points out that while she has accomplished many of her goals, she still has one more in mind. "The only thing I haven't done is originate a Broadway role."

The star, who splits her time between her home in Westchester, NY, and work in L.A., simply credits her longevity in the biz with being versatile with her God-given abilities.

"If you have talent you end up having staying power," she explains. "Plus, being able to do more than one thing is what's worked for me."

While her career seems to be moving in the right direction, parts of her personal life have taken a different turn. Williams has been married and divorced twice--first to former manager Ramon Hervey, father of her three children Melanie, 19, Jillian, 17 and Devin 13. The second marriage was to ex-L.A. Laker star Rick Fox, dad to her daughter Sasha, 6.

Despite the failed unions Williams, currently single, still thinks marriage is a great thing. She remains optimistic about it just as she does about life in general.

"That comes from being 43 years old and being able to reflect on life ... You see how the web of life all makes sense and brings you to, well, for me, a place I absolutely love."

Once in costume with flawless makeup and not a hair out of place, Williams exits the trailer and takes her place on set. When she nails her line on the first take with a no-nonsense tone, it's easy to see that the transformation is complete. Wilhelmina has officially arrived.

Perseverance Pays

Top-Selling Singles

The Right Stuff (1988) Dreamin (1988) Save the Best for Last (1992) Work to Do (1992) Love Is (with Brian McKnight) (1993) Colors of the Wind (1995)

Broadway Shows

Kiss of the Spider Woman (1994) Into the Woods (2002)