VANESSA WILLIAMS: Being the First Black Miss America Changed My Life - But Came at a Cost

VANESSA WILLIAMS: Being the First Black Miss America Changed My Life - But Came at a Cost

Vanessa Williams is an absolute powerhouse. She’s a Grammy-nominated recording artist, an award-winning actor and a global cultural icon, known for roles in Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and currently starring as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada on the West End.


At just 20 years old, Vanessa became the first Black woman to win the Miss America crown. It was a historic moment that changed her life overnight. But making history came at a cost: she faced de*th threats, FBI protection and a level of public scrutiny few could imagine.


In this episode, we cover:

  • How Vanessa broke barriers as the first Black woman to win Miss America
  • Navigating de*th threats and hate after her win
  • Singing live at the Super Bowl and the Oscars
  • Aging on camera and her thoughts on cosmetic surgery
  • What Vanessa's mum told Elton John when they met


This is a conversation about strength, resilience and refusing to be defined by other people.


Vanessa Williams is Great Company.


If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:

Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast

TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast


And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk


This episode is sponsored by The AA, the UK’s No.1 breakdown provider. It’s OK with the AA, they’re the fastest major breakdown provider with more patrols up and down the country, 24/7, 365 days a year. So, if you want that peace of mind and be back on the road in no time - Join today at theaa.com/Great T&Cs apply. Verify claims at theaa.com/best


THE CREDITS

Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke & Rema Mukena

Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins

Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(134)

TOM DAVIS: I Lost Friends When I Quit Alcohol - But This Is What It Taught Me

TOM DAVIS: I Lost Friends When I Quit Alcohol - But This Is What It Taught Me

Tom Davis is one of the funniest people I know. We first met ten years ago on Murder in Successville, the hilarious BBC3 sitcom he co-created with his friend James De Frond. At the time, I had no idea...

4 Maalis 1h 10min

Introducing NearlyWeds with Molly and Tom

Introducing NearlyWeds with Molly and Tom

If you followed Sophie and my NearlyWeds journey, you’ll know just how wild, emotional and downright chaotic wedding planning can be. Now, it’s time for a brand new love story to take centre stage.Nea...

3 Maalis 12min

Zara Larsson on Staying True to Yourself | GREAT MOMENTS

Zara Larsson on Staying True to Yourself | GREAT MOMENTS

Zara Larsson is having a moment with her hit song, Midnight Summer. So, who better to feature as this week’s Great Moment… One of pop’s brightest stars, Zara is sweet, magnetic and unapologetically he...

2 Maalis 12min

CHRIS OLSEN: “It’s Rehab or You Lose Us” - My Family Made Me Choose

CHRIS OLSEN: “It’s Rehab or You Lose Us” - My Family Made Me Choose

Chris Olsen is one of the biggest social media stars in the world. He joined TikTok in 2020 and quickly became a viral sensation. I’ve admired him for a long time - his social media content is so funn...

25 Helmi 1h 9min

Shirley Ballas on Growing Up Without a Dad | GREAT MOMENTS

Shirley Ballas on Growing Up Without a Dad | GREAT MOMENTS

We often talk about the impact our parents have on us growing up but what happens when one of them isn’t there? For Shirley Ballas, growing up without a father didn’t just affect her childhood. It inf...

23 Helmi 13min

ADOLESCENCE CREATOR JACK THORNE on Golden Globes, Being an Outsider & the Dark Side of Social Media

ADOLESCENCE CREATOR JACK THORNE on Golden Globes, Being an Outsider & the Dark Side of Social Media

You might not know Jack Thorne’s name but you’ll definitely know his work. He’s the award-winning writer behind Adolescence, Skins, This is England and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.For years, he ...

18 Helmi 1h

Prof Tim Spector: How Food is Affecting Your Mental Health | GREAT MOMENTS

Prof Tim Spector: How Food is Affecting Your Mental Health | GREAT MOMENTS

We spend more than 2 HOURS every day thinking about food: what to eat, when to eat and what we’re craving next…But how often do we stop to ask, is this actually what my body needs? And more importantl...

16 Helmi 14min

OLIVIA ATTWOOD: Why I'm Not Afraid To Be Alone Anymore

OLIVIA ATTWOOD: Why I'm Not Afraid To Be Alone Anymore

Olivia Attwood first captured the nation’s attention on Love Island, quickly becoming a fan favourite on series 3 of the show.She’s gone on to build an incredible career across TV and radio and is lov...

11 Helmi 55min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

i-dont-like-mondays
sita
olipa-kerran-otsikko
kaksi-aitia
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
hupiklubi
uutiscast
ihme-ja-kumma
poks
antin-palautepalvelu
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
kolme-kaannekohtaa
mamma-mia
rss-murhan-anatomia
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
aikalisa
rss-palmujen-varjoissa
meidan-pitais-puhua
loukussa
kummitusjuttuja