Vanessa Lynn Williams (born March 18, 1963) is a pop and R&B singer who began her career as the first black Miss America. She resigned early in her reign on July 23, 1984, however, when it was discovered that she had posed nude for sadomasochistically/lesbierotically themed photographs that were later published in the magazine Penthouse. She managed to rise above that scandal and become a popular singer with her 1988 debut album, "The Right Stuff", which went gold and earned Vanessa three Grammy Nominations, including one for "Best New Artist" ... (read more )