Save the Best for Last singer, Vanessa Williams, has gotten an apology from the Miss America organisation after being pressurised into ...
Save the Best for Last singer, Vanessa Williams, has gotten an apology from the Miss America organisation after being pressurised into giving up the crown three decades ago.
She represented New York in the 1983 competition. She had to step down with just two months to the end of her term as Miss America. This was owing to the fact that Penthouse magazine published the nude pictures she had taken before she won the pageant.
At Sunday's Miss America Pageant, CEO Sam Haskell said before the audience, “You have lived your life with grace and dignity,” adding,”never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned.” Haskell continued, “On behalf of today’s organizations, I want to apologize to you and to your mother… for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less the Miss America you are and Miss America you always will be.”
Williams accepted the apology. “I did the best that I could (during) my reign as Miss America from 1983 to 1984,” she said. “I love you. I love the girls and I am so honored to be back.”
It took them thirty-two years to apologise! Did you know she's the first black Miss America? Why would the organisers force her to give up the title? Racism? Whatever their reasons were, we're happy for Williams.
