Vanessa Williams – on Proving Everyone Wrong, ‘Ugly Betty’ & Reinventing Herself
About this episode
Vanessa Williams discusses her career challenges and successes over a meal with Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Singer, sitcom star and stage queen Vanessa Williams joins the show. Over tuna tostadas and butternut squash salad, Vanessa tells me about repeatedly having to prove herself across careers – from Miss America and the controversy that forced her resignation, to building success in music, Broadway and television – meanwhile, dealing withjudgement, racism and being underestimated as a performer. We also reminisce about her iconic role as Wilhelmina Slater in ‘Ugly Betty,’ her chemistry with costar Michael Urie, and why it stands out as one of her favorite jobs to date. Also, we get into her role as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada musical, now on the West End. This episode was recorded at Flute at the Broadwick Soho in London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Guest: Vanessa Williams
Topics covered
- reinvention
- entertainment
- racism
- success
- iconic roles
Keywords
- Vanessa Williams
- Ugly Betty
- Miss America
- reinvention
- The Devil Wears Prada
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Miss America
Books & works: Ugly Betty, The Devil Wears Prada
Places: London
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