Vanessa Williams Receives Apology, Returns to Miss America Pageant
Vanessa Williams has finally received an apology from the CEO of the Miss America pageant, Sam Haskell, 32 years after her nude photo scandal that cost her the title.
"I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years," CEO Sam Haskell said to Williams Sunday night when she returned to the Miss America stage as a judge. "You have lived your life in grace and dignity, and never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned. Though none of us currently in the organization were involved then, on behalf of today's organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams. I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be."
Actress and singer Williams was the first African American woman to win the crown in 1983. She held the titled for 10 months before she resigned due to the nude photos that Penthouse magazine published. The photos were taken before Williams participated in the pageant. Many believed that Williams' resignation was forced or at least, heavily encouraged.
Williams spoke with reporters about her scandal after praising Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell for being crowned the next Miss America.
"I want to thank everyone who has come up to me over the past 32 years and said, 'You'll always be MY Miss America,'" Williams said. "I got a chance to be on the stage and represent what I represented back in 1984. Thank you so much for being so welcoming to me."
Williams, who went on to have a very successful TV, film and music career, most recently guest starred on TV shows, "Royal Pains" and "The Mindy Project."
