People: Jun. 24, 1985

She wanted to be a musical-comedy star, and "I plan to be a success," said Vanessa Williams after winning the 1984 Miss America title. But the shock of her nude photos in Penthouse nine months later cost her the title and all likelihood of immediate stardom. In the year since, she has been slowly working her way back, with a forgettable guest shot on a TV detective series last fall and a turn among the many performers at last month's reopening of Harlem's Apollo Theater. This week at Manhattan's South Street Theater, she gets to do her first musical comedy, an...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!