1984, Vanessa Williams, who had made history as the first Black Miss America, faced a public scandal that nearly derailed her career. The controversy erupted when Penthouse magazine published nude photos of her, leading to her being stripped of her title and subjected to intense scrutiny.
In a recent video profile for People magazine, Williams revisited the traumatic experience, describing the overwhelming pressure and shame she felt at just 21 years old. “There was a tremendous amount of onus, pressure, shame, judgment,” she recalled. “I took all that on as a 21-year-old. It was global. You can fail quietly, but that was a worldwide fail.”
Williams, who had been crowned Miss America in September 1983, was blindsided by the scandal. On July 13, 1984, during an interview, she learned that Penthouse was set to release the photos. Her immediate reaction was to contact her parents and attorney to strategize, as she had not signed a release for the photos.
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At the time, Williams explained that the photos were taken two years earlier while she was working as a photographer’s assistant. She had been assured by the photographer that the images would only be silhouettes and would remain in the studio. Despite this, pageant officials gave her just 72 hours to resign or face removal from her title. She chose to step down, and the issue of Penthouse, featuring her nude photos, went on to sell nearly 6 million copies and generate around $14 million in revenue.
Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy magazine, commented on the situation, calling the business deal “immoral” and “improper.” Hefner revealed that Playboy had been offered the photos first but had declined them, criticizing the exploitation of Williams. “The single victim in all of this was the young woman herself,” Hefner said, lamenting that Williams’ right to make such a personal decision was taken from her.
Despite the Miss America organization’s public apology to Williams in 2015, the scandal left lasting scars. Reflecting on her younger self, Williams expressed regret over her naivety and trust in the photographer. “I look back at my 19- to 20-year-old self and think, ‘Oh, my God you were so naive, so trusting, so vulnerable,’” she said. “In your mind [at that age] you think, ‘I’m old, I know what I’m doing.’ I give myself grace now, but as a young adult, I beat myself up, like ‘I should have known better.’”
Williams’ perspective has evolved with time, and her adult children have played a role in helping her process the ordeal. “They’re like, ‘Wow, how did you handle all this mom at 20?’” she said. Her children’s realization of the challenges she faced has provided her with a sense of validation and support, allowing her to view the scandal through a more compassionate lens.
