Q Is Vanessa Williams on Ugly Betty the same Vanessa Williams who's a former Miss America?
—Frank Dean, Elko, Nev.
Yes, the 44-year-old actress who plays conniving magazine editor Wilhelmina Slater on the popular ABC-TV prime-time series was crowned Miss America in 1983, becoming the first African-American to be so honored. But she was forced to relinquish her crown when spicy photos from her past surfaced. Ugly Betty marks the first major TV role for Williams, the mother of four kids ranging from 6 to 19, who also is recording a new CD and working to re-ignite her singing career. Her 1992 single "Save the Best for Last" was a No. 1 smash.
