Happy Birthday Vanessa Williams!

Bestest birthday wishes to my "fabulous, gorgeous, always makes me comfortable, always makes me laugh" friend Vanessa Williams who celebrates her birthday today.

I've known Vanessa since we attended Syracuse University together many moons ago.

Obviously V has gone on to major, major accomplishments over the years in film, TV, Broadway and the recording studio. So many to name, I won't try.

But my favorite thing about Vanessa over the years is she has never changed the way she treats me as her old friend.

We may not see each other for a while, but she's always the same person I knew back in school.

I've documented a few of our meet-ups over the years here, here, and here.

Me with Vanessa Williams, husband Jim Skrip and my hubby Michael Caprio
at pre-gala reception hosted by Fendi (all photos by Denise Truscello)

In 2017, I was asked to introduce Vanessa at Nevada Ballet Theatre's annual gala as they honored her as "Woman of the Year."

In my introduction, I shared the story behind the pic below when I had just finished cancer treatment in 2009.

Clearly, I didn't look like myself after chemo, and I was very self-conscious.

But seeing Vanessa backstage after her concert here in Las Vegas that year, she didn't blink. Once she knew I was good, she ignored the way I looked and made me feel as comfortable as always.

After commenting on my hairlessness - "You look fab with your bald head!" - she immediately asked, "Do you want to hang backstage and have Chardonnay and friend chicken?"

As I told the audience at the Nevada Ballet Theatre event, that pretty much summed up Vanessa:

Like Chardonnay, she's bright, light and intoxicating.

And like friend chicken, she is truly "Soul Food."

Vanessa rocks. And I adore her.

Happy, happy birthday, doll!

News Round-Up: January 29, 2019

InstaHunk Dan Tai

Some news items you might have missed:

• InstaHunk Dan Tai asks, "Do you count your macros?" I don't even know what that means (I'm sure it's important) because calves, biceps, deltoids, face...

• Desperate Housewives/Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams has been tapped for a lead role in Happy Accident, ABC’s family comedy pilot from the writers of Modern Family. #Yay!

• Congressional Republicans aren't fond of Donald Trump's idea to declare a 'national emergency' in order to get his beloved wall, but they've signaled they won't put up a stink if he does.

• Reuters reports that The Trump administration’s $1.5 trillion cut tax package appeared to have no major impact on businesses’ capital investment or hiring plans.

• A new Washington Post/ABC News poll shows 56% of registered voters will "definitely" not vote for Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

• And speaking of the 2020 election, Sen. Kamala Harris of California broke records Monday night when her televised town hall became the most viewed event of its kind in cable news history with 1.957 million views. The event drew the most viewers of any cable-news, single-candidate town hall.

• Out singer/songwriter Sam Smith and former Fifth Harmony member Normani release their sensual, moody music video for their hit duet, "Dancing with a Stranger."

Alone in a lavish mansion, both artists are attempting to get over former lovers. I like the song; not sure about Normani's dancing in the middle there, but I guess it's in the title so someone had to dance...?

Saturday Slow Down: Vanessa Williams "The Comfort Zone"

Classic Vanessa Williams for a Saturday slow-down. This just feels good.

From her 1992 hit album, The Comfort Zone.

I wore a hole in my CD playing this on repeat.

#MoreWine

Christmas Music: Vanessa Williams "Angels We Have Heard On High"

It's time for holiday music! Yay!

I love thislive version of "Angels We Have Heard On High" by Vanessa Williams accompanied by her brilliant collaborator, Rob Mathes.

In fact, Vanessa is performing this weekend with Mathes' holiday concerts with guest artist Sting...!!!

Originally from her Star Bright holiday CD, it's now available on The Christmas Collection: The Best of Vanessa Williams.

New Ad Spot For L'Oreal Age Perfect Shows Strong Women Age Well

I love this new ad from L'Oreal featuring Jane Fonda, Helen Mirren, Julianne Moore, Isabelle Adjani, Iris Berben and Vanessa Williams.

Delicious. The campaign is part of the Age Perfect range, which focuses on cosmetics for older skin.

Take a break and enjoy. Strong women age well :)

Life Is A Funny Thing...

Me and Vanessa Williams

So, life is funny, sometimes.

Yesterday, while traveling on the Atlantis cruise from Rome to Barcelona, I got word that award-winning actress/singer/dancer Vanessa Williams would be the surprise guest star on the cruise ship.

Longtime readers know I have been friends with the gorgeous super-star since we were both freshman music theater majors at Syracuse University in the early 1980s.

We quickly traded emails excited at the prospect of seeing each other live, in person.

This afternoon was the bestest catch-up you can imagine as V and I, with my hubby Michael, spent just the most delicious hours laughing and smiling off the French coast near Nice, on the Atlantis cruise today.

My apologies for the light posting today, but I had some really wonderful company to keep.

xoxo

Christmas Music: Vanessa Williams "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

In full rotation in my house every Christmas season :)

If you don't have Vanessa Williams' holiday albums, you're missing out. Love, love, love.

VH1's "Daytime Divas" Premieres Tonight

Vanessa Williams in "Daytime Divas"

Can't wait for the series premiere of Daytime Divas tonight!

There's only one "I" in Diva!

And who better to be head diva than Vanessa Williams?

Based on former The View host Star Jones' novel, Satan's Sisters, Williams stars as the tough creator and host of a daytime talk show. The TV talker features five women who aren't afraid to bare their claws when the cameras are off.

NewNowNext has a terrific interview with the Ugly Betty/Desperate Housewives star which includes questions about strong women and LGBT storylines.

You’re an outspoken LGBT rights advocate. Does Daytime Divas have any LGBT characters or storylines?

One of the co-hosts of The Lunch Hour, the show within our show, is sexually fluid with no apologies. And I think one of our strongest episodes is when Janet Mock comes on as a guest co-host. Our conservative evangelist co-host has a son who’s trans, and you’d think she would be judgmental, but she’s actually his champion and calls him by the name he wants. She asks Janet some really interesting questions, and Janet answers them in the most beautiful, sensitive way. I’ve never seen anything quite like it on an hour-long dramedy.

Maxine isn’t your first diva. Why are you so drawn to strong, powerful women with impeccable style?

Well, it’s how people see me, and it’s something people know that I can do believably, not broadly. I played a diva in Kiss of the Spider Woman, my first Broadway show, but I’ve been doing those types of roles since high school. Maybe my dancing background gives my gait and stature something that signifies power and elegance.

Is America not ready to see you as an average woman who wears flats?

I don’t know, but it might be fun to take on that challenge. Right now, by the way, I’m wearing very comfy, sensible shoes. But there’s a certain ease about playing Maxine because she is aging, and it’s great to be able to play a woman who actually looks her age. I’m 54 and proud of it, so it was a luxury to not have to get all pumped and pulled for a change.

Watch the first 8 minutes of the pilot below, and catch the full episodes on VH1 Mondays at 10PM ET.

Teaser: VH1's "Daytime Divas" Starring Vanessa Williams

VH1's new scripted series, DaytimeDivas, starring Vanessa Williams, premieres Monday, June 5 at 10/9c on VH1.

Inspired by Star Jones' book Satan's Sisters, Williams plays the creator and star of a daytime talk show with co-hosts who think they can make the moves to bring her down.

Sound familiar?

Check the little music vid ditty below as V asserts her dominance among young co-hosts:

"I don't care who tries to get in my way, it's up to you to memorize my name,
Looking sexy/famous I slay, cuz I'm a mother*cking D-I-V-A!"

I'm thinking summer hit series here...

Vanessa Williams Honored As 2017 "Woman Of The Year" By Nevada Ballet Theatre

Me with Vanessa Williams, husband Jim Skrip and my hubby Michael Caprio
at pre-gala reception hosted by Fendi (all photos by Denise Truscello)

I had the distinct privilege of paying tribute to my longtime college pal and gorgeous superstar, Vanessa Williams, Saturday night as she was honored in Las Vegas by the Nevada Ballet Theatre as their 2017 "Woman of the Year."

Vanessa and I both entered Syracuse University as freshmen music theatre majors in the fall of 1981, and have remained close friends since then.

Nevada Ballet Theatre has a long history of honoring women of distinction at their annual gala event. Of the many luminaries honored in the past, several come from the world of Broadway including Chita Rivera, Carol Channing, Debbie Reynolds, Bette Midler and Debbie Allen (who served as Vanessa's Honorary Chair this year).

In addition to being a leading ballet company in the U.S., NBT provides premiere dance education to young people in Southern Nevada in order to groom the next generation of dance enthusiasts. NBT's Academy is regarded as one of the top ballet training centers in Las Vegas.

Plus, their many outreach programs take the art form of dance to students in underserved kids across Southern Nevada. Future Dance and its many initiatives provide scholarship opportunities to over 400 students a year and the program successfully reaches over 20,000 students annually.

Longtime friend David Weinreb, the CEO of the Howard Hughes Corporation which sponsored the evening, was the Dinner Chair and introduced Vanessa as she made her grand entrance into the ballroom at the Aria Hotel. One of the highlights of the night was a couple of swinging 'surprise duets' by Vanessa and Weinreb (“On a Clear Day” & “On the Sunny Side of the Street").

Before she took to the stage to accept the evening's honor, I was asked to pay tribute to Vanessa. Including the requisite list of awards and nominations that Vanessa has deservedly received over the years (from the Grammys to the Emmys to the NAACP Image Awards and more), I shared a personal anecdote from a few years ago when I had reached the end of my cancer journey in 2009.

While my chemotherapy treatments had done the trick, they had left me completely hairless and severely bloated making me almost unrecognizable. I looked like "Uncle Fester" from The Addams Family. I was very self-conscious to the point of being demoralized.

I was set to attend one of Vanessa's concerts here in Las Vegas during that time and worried about shocking her when I went backstage. But Vanessa, always so intuitive to her friends, handled the "reveal" perfectly.

As she rounded the corner and saw me, Vanessa didn’t break stride, she didn’t blink, she didn’t miss a beat as she hugged me exactly as she always does.

She then held me at arm’s length and said with that sassy Vanessa Williams tone said, “You look fab with your bald head.”

She followed that with some of the most beautiful words in the English language: “Do you want to hang backstage and have chardonnay and fried chicken?”

As I remembered that story, it occurred to me that “chardonnay and fried chicken” is actually a perfect metaphor for the Vanessa Williams who’s friendship I love so much.

Like chardonnay, she’s always elegant, light, bright and intoxicating. And like fried chicken, she is truly “Soul Food” - always making everyone around her feel comfortable, relaxed and at home.

Vanessa, glamorous as always, wearing a gown by Christian Siriano, took time during her acceptance speech to advocate for the arts,  saying in part, "They are essential for mankind.”

You can check out a few photos below, all by the fantastic Denise Truscello (click pics to enlarge).

"But us, old friend, what's to discuss, old friend?
Here's to us; who's like us?
Damn few..."

What an honor to introduce Vanessa Williams at the
Nevada Ballet Theatre's 2017 Black & White Ball 

Vanessa Williams accepting her honor from Nevada Ballet Theatre
as 2017 Woman of the Year

Vanessa Williams (C) with dancers from the Nevada Ballet Theatre & the NBT board

Jim, Michael, Vanessa and me at the table during the event.
It's The Black & White Ball, so there's got to be a b/w photo, right?

Michael, Vanessa, Jim and I on our way from pre-event reception to the gala
I think of this as our "Reservoir Dogs" shot :)

Vanessa Williams Introduced By Daughter LionBabe At VH1 Divas

Vanessa Williams at VH1 Divas

Broadway & music icon Vanessa Williams being introduced by her fierce daughter, Lion Babe, at VH1 Divas concert.

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Time Flies: 25th Anniversary Of Vanessa Williams' "The Comfort Zone"

Hard to believe that it was 25 years ago this week that the uber-talented Vanessa Williams released her smash hit album, The Comfort Zone.

Regular readers of The Randy Report know that I went to college with Vanessa long before that Miss America title, tons of hit records, starring on Broadway, in movies and wide spread television fame.

We're still good friends today, and I love her recordings.

The Comfort Zone, her second album, gave us several top charting singles including Vanessa's first #1 hit, "Saved The Best For Last."

I can listen to this album every day.  So very Vanessa.  Rock on, V.

Saturday Slow Down: Vanessa Williams "Colors Of The Wind"

I meant to post this yesterday for Earth Day, but any day is a good day for Vanessa Williams' gorgeous vocals on the Academy Award-winning "Colors of the Wind" from Disney's Pocahontas.

It's International Women's Day!

Dedicating #InternationalWomensDay to these power women I'm lucky enough to call family. (And obviously @sashafoxyy, who's not pictured!)

A photo posted by Vanessa Williams (@vanessawilliamsofficial) on Mar 8, 2016 at 4:56am PST

Vanessa Williams On Miss America Pageant Apology

A few weeks ago, Vanessa Williams returned to the Miss America Pageant for the first time in three decades since she won in the early 1980s.

Speaking with CBS This Morning, she shares what the moment was like onstage.

"When they asked me to come back, I of course called my mother and she had some real reservations," Williams said.

But Williams agreed to return, opening the night with a performance of her song, "Oh How the Years Go By."

"I will be seen from my 20-year-old self and now I'm a 52-year-old woman who's had a career and that was important for me," Williams said about her decision.

After her performance, Sam Haskell, executive chairman and CEO of the Miss America Organization, issued a public apology to Williams - as well as her mother -- on the Miss America pageant stage saying, "I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you were and the Miss America you always will be."

"Sam came behind me and I could feel his hands started shaking," Williams recalled the moment. "It was wonderful, I'm happy for my mom. I kind of wiped my hands and said, 'I'm moving on,' but they endured a lot."

Williams joins the cast of the hit series "The Good Wife" this season as a successful businesswoman who begins a romantic relationship with Alan Cummings' character, "Eli Gold," beginning this Sunday at 9PM on CBS.

Vanessa Williams on apology from Miss America Organization three decades after losing her title: http://cbsn.ws/1WUkPrg
Posted by CBS This Morning on Thursday, November 12, 2015

Preview: Kern & Hammerstein's SHOWBOAT on PBS

Vanessa Williams as "Julie" in Showboat

Set your DVRs for this not to be missed Broadway musical experience as Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis and a cavalcade of major talent performs the classic Showboat.

From PBS:

Both a cultural and artistic watershed, this groundbreaking musical redefined entertainment and changed the face of American theater. Spanning from 1880 to 1927, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s lyrical masterpiece concerns the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi, in Chicago and on Broadway. Its impact remains unparalleled, addressing serious subjects like racial prejudice, introducing a bi-racial cast to Broadway, and pointing the way toward a new synthesis between music and spectacle.

The show airs Friday, October 16th. Check local listings for times.

UPDATED: Miss America Pageant Organization Formally Apologizes To Vanessa Williams

Sam Haskell apologizes to Vanessa Williams for the Miss America pageant
organization for its treatment 32 years ago

UPDATED: Here's the apology.

*****************************

Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America in history, returned to the pageant for the first time in 32 years tonight as Head Judge, as the organization formally apologized to Williams and her mother, Helen, for the way the pageant handled the end of her reign in 1984 over a nude photo scandal.

From Hollywood Reporter:

Sam Haskell apologized to Williams during Sunday night's nationally televised Miss America pageant for the way his predecessors handled the controversy involving nude photos of Williams that were published in Penthouse several months after she became the first African-America Miss America.

Williams, who returned to the pageant for the first time in 32 years as head judge, resigned the title in 1984.

Haskell, who was not involved with the pageant at the time, said, "I want to apologize for anything that was said or done" during the photo scandal.

"You have lived your life in grace and dignity and never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned. Though none of us currently in the organization were involved then, on behalf of today’s organization, I want to apologize to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams," he announced onstage. "I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be."

Williams, who went on to become a famous stage and TV actress, says she "did the best I could" during the scandal.

Vanessa was all of 21 years old when the scandal broke. She was 18 I believe when she made the mistake that made such a huge impact on her life.

Since then Vanessa has racked up tons of award nominations for Tony Award, Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards and more.

I have not watched the Miss America pageant again until tonight, as I've held a grudge that the organization dropped her so quickly.

At the time, I felt it was un-American that the organization moved to distance itself from her so quickly.

It was gratifying to see Helen, her brother Chris and long-time associate Brian Edwards in the audience to take in the moment.

Better late than never.

Vanessa Williams' longtime associate Brian Edwards, mother Helen Williams
and brother Chris Williams

Vanessa Williams performs at the 2016 Miss America Pageant

Reminder: The 2015 Miss America Pageant Today On ABC

Thirty years ago I watched along with the rest of the world as Vanessa Williams became the first African-American woman to win the crown of Miss America.

I went to college with Vanessa at Syracuse University, and we've remained friends all these years.

Tonight she returns to the pageant, as head judge, for the first time since then.

Tune in tonight to see who will win on ABC at 9PM EST/8PM CST.

But for now, let's relive the moment we all knew a star was born as Vanessa sang "Happy Days Are Here Again."

Trivia - Vanessa had the idea to sing the song while school was still in session, but she didn't have the recording. She borrowed my Barbra Streisand album to learn the arrangement - my tiny contribution to her winning performance :)

A more in-depth look at Vanessa's road to Miss America below:

Vanessa Williams Will Return To Miss America Pageant For First Time In 32 Years

Vanessa Williams, star of stage, screen and the recording industry, has agreed to return to the Miss America pageant for the first time in 32 years. She will take part in the pageant's festivities as head judge.

Many will remember that Williams made history in 1984 by becoming the first African-American to be crowned Miss America.

But just weeks before the end of her one year reign, she was forced to relinquish her crown due to Penthouse Magazine publishing nude photos of Williams without her consent.

It's no secret to readers here on The Randy Report that Vanessa and I are friends since college. I knew her and cheered for her when she won the title. She's still one of my favorite talents, and a close friend whom I adore.

I also booed the Miss America pageant for not having the courage to stand by Vanessa in the midst of the scandal. And I haven't watched the TV presentation since that day.

Of course, since then Vanessa has conquered just about every aspect of the entertainment industry with 11 Grammy Award nominations, 3 Emmy Award nominations, a Tony Award nomination, and tons of other high profile accolades. Fans know her hit songs, her roles on "Desperate Housewives" and "Ugly Betty," plus starring on Broadway in "Kiss Of The Spiderwpman," "Into The Woods," "Sondheim On Sondheim," and "Trip To Bountiful."

AND - she is a huge equal rights/LGBT ally, having been honored with the Human Rights Campaign’s Ally for Equality Award, among many others, for her humanitarian contributions.

As always, success is the best revenge.

Ratings for the beauty pageant have suffered for years, so it's clear the folks at Miss America are hoping for a bump via Vanessa's star power.

ABC will air this year’s Miss America competition live starting at 9 p.m. ET on Sept. 13. It faces stiff competition from NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

With Vanessa Williams backstage at "Trip To Bountiful" in LA

Vanessa Williams To Star In New Fox Pilot Fantasy

Randy Report favorite Vanessa Williams is heading back to TV!

The superstar is set to star opposite Kevin Connolly in Fox’s upcoming pilot Fantasy Life, written by Tim McAuliffe based on the memoir by one of U.S.’ top fantasy experts, ESPN’s Matthew Berry.

When a hard-working guy, Mitch (Connolly) lands his ultimate dream job hosting a fantasy football show, he’s forced to navigate office politics while becoming the star he never thought he could be. Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives alumna Williams will play Terry, the bold, pragmatic, unapologetically caustic and apologetically compassionate SVP of Programming at a major sports network, and Mitch’s (Connolly) new boss.

Congrats V! You know I'll be watching :)

And since it's Valentine's Day, why not revisit one of Williams' biggest hit from her music career, "Saved The Best For Last?"