It's funny to think that back in the 1980s, a leak of nude pictures could cause a headline-grabbing scandal, but that's exactly what happened to the first Black woman to ever wear the Miss America crown. Vanessa Williams, then 21, was roundly demonized in the press, and was subjected to intense public outrage for her supposed transgression. She was even forced to resign her crown, an overreaction that the pageant would apologize for decades later. Alicia has the whole sorry saga, and the powerful comeback story of one of the great talents in American entertainment - plus a couple of divorces!

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Further Reading:

You Have No Idea, by Vanessa Williams and Helen Williams (Amazon link)

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