Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today. Her career in film, television, stage and music has been recognized with 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG Award nominations and 7 NAACP Image Awards. Her Platinum single, "Colors of the Wind," from Disney's “Pocahontas,” won the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

Vanessa can currently be seen starring as the iconic role of “Miranda Priestly” in the West End’s production of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA at the Dominion Theatre. She previously returned to Broadway in the World Premiere of Selina Fillinger's comedy, POTUS, directed by Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman. She also starred in the acclaimed West End revival of CITY OF ANGELS opposite Theo James. Prior to this, she starred with Cicely Tyson in THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, which was the #1 play of its Broadway season. Vanessa earned a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of “The Witch” in the James Lapine-directed Broadway revival of INTO THE WOODS and received a Theatre World Award for her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. Additional Broadway credits include ST. LOUIS WOMAN, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and AFTER MIDNIGHT. She headlined a special limited engagement of HEY, LOOK ME OVER at New York City Center and a special performance of Stephen Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE at Carnegie Hall. She was a producer of the Broadway production of A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL.

Perhaps best known for her Emmy and SAG Award-nominated role of “Wilhelmina Slater” in the worldwide hit, UGLY BETTY, Vanessa has had an extensive career on screen. She starred on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, VH1's DAYTIME DIVAS, ABC's movie musical BYE BYE BIRDIE and most recently in CBS' ELSBETH. Her many film credits include ERASER, SOUL FOOD, SHAFT, DANCE WITH ME, HOODLUM and JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION. In the unscripted space, Vanessa appeared as a
judge on two seasons of RuPaul's competition series, QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, with Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel, Leona Lewis and Melanie Brown, hosted by Graham Norton.

Vanessa has sold millions of records worldwide, amassing numerous #1 and Top 10 hits. Her discography includes her debut album, The Right Stuff, The Comfort Zone, The Sweetest Days, The Real Thing and her classic holiday albums, Star Bright and Silver & Gold. Hit singles include “Save the Best For Last,” “Dreamin',” “The Right Stuff,” “Work to Do” and “Love Is,” among many others. Her first new release in 15 years, SURVIVOR, a genre-defying collection of songs that reflect her rich and diverse musical catalogue.

Vanessa earned a BFA degree in musical theatre at Syracuse University. She is a strong advocate for equal rights, especially for the gay community and minorities and was honoured with the Human Rights Campaign Ally for Equality Award for her humanitarian contributions. She received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007 and her 2012 autobiography, You Have No Idea, co-written with her mother Helen Williams, was a New York Times Best Seller. She is a proud mum of four and grandmother to Sunny.