I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years. 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. 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.
…with sentiments like such, (if you didn’t know this week’s back story) one would wonder why Vanessa Williams received the moment so graciously without dropping one single tear.
Considering the fact that after a 32 year-old scandal in which your crown was relinquished (now, right before you in front of the world), an apology is given and your crowning moment is returned, respected and restored; emotion and tears should just come running down your face-I know, right?
Well factoring in the whispers reported this week–a debate back and forth was going on behind the scenes where pageant officials wanted Vanessa Williams to apologize for her “nude photo scandal” (that ultimately got her dethroned); it’s no wonder that even after this ridiculously beautiful queen (obviously) won the war of “who’s apologizing to whom” she would go on to handle it as gracefully rather than surprisingly or emotionally as she did (despite her ability to fake it-all praises due to the successful acting career she’d gone on to pursue since then scandal).
Nothing stopped her then, and nothing was going to force her [to do anything] now as, there was nothing to apologize for-seeing as though the woman had no Miss America pageant application in at the time the photos were taken. That being the case, what’s there to apologize about (then or now)? Scandals (and mistakes) happen and rear their heads at unpredictable times. Call it “life.”
Fast forward.
Vanessa Williams earned her crown and glory with a successful singing and acting career and never looked back until today-only to make history again with respect, crown and glory restored AND as the first former Miss America to ACTUALLY JUDGE the pageant.
Win!
Win!
Win!
In response to the pageants CEO (William Haskell)’s apology, Vanessa Williams replied,
“I did the best that I could as my reign as Miss America, 1983 to 1984. On behalf of my family, my mother in particular, Brian Edwards, who orchestrated this entire thing to bring me back, and your leadership, your integrity, and you bringing this pageant back to what it ought to be. I love you, I love the girls, and I’m so honored to be back.”
Our friends at Gawker, who shares the same sentiment as we here at OSF, had this to say to all-a-dat (*opens my five fingers and motions in a circular wiping motion):
Williams replied that Haskell’s words were “so unexpected, but so beautiful,” but that’s bullsh/t since TMZ ran an item Friday regarding the behind-the-scenes bickering about who was going to apologize to whom onstage (Vanessa wanted Miss America officials to do so; they wanted her). Regardless, the right party won that minor battle, though giving up the crown was probably the best thing that could have happened to Williams’s career. Williams has been winning for the past three decades.
“Winning” is an understatement indeed.
Vanessa Williams reigns: Supreme.
That woman is GORGEOUS-even more gorgeous that when she won that crown!
Her career went full steam ahead and she hasn’t sat down since (or been sat down) even after stepping down and relinquishing the crown. Effing amazing.
The irony of it all is that Vanessa Williams won then, had been winning since and won all over again tonight!
Who does that? (Not to mention: ages backwards in beauty like that? Nobody).
For the record.
2016’s Miss America was won by Miss Georgia: Betty Cantrell, 21, who receives a $50,000 scholarship and will pursue her duties as being the face of the Miss America Organization for one year from this month.
