Flashback: Vanessa Williams was crowned the first black Miss America 30 years ago today
theGRIO REPORT - Thirty years ago today, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America, making her the first African-American to win the title...
Thirty years ago today, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America, making her the first African-American to win the title.
The singer/actress was still attending Syracuse University when she won the title of Miss New York.
Following her 1983 win of the Miss America crown, Williams faced a racist backlash, including hate mail from viewers and pageant fans who were unhappy with a black woman taking on the coveted role.
Similar to Williams, the most recent Miss America winner, Nina Davuluri, has received derogatory comments via social media due to her Indian-American heritage.
She is scheduled to meet Williams this week in New York City. Davuluri, who is also a former Miss New York, will be attending a performance of The Trip To Bountiful, the Broadway play in which Williams is performing.
Towards the end of her reign as Miss America, Williams found herself in the midst of a scandal during the summer of 1984. Nude photos of the then 21-year-old, which had not been authorized for publication, were printed in Penthouse magazine. Williams was forced to resign from her post as Miss America.
Williams then went on to a successful recording career as a singer, as well as successful performances on Broadway, television and film.
Click through the slideshow above to see Williams as a young woman in the Miss America pageant.
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.Â
