Vanessa Williams was absolutely serving in this new fashion shoot (Picture: Mike Ruiz/PhotoBook)
Some Hollywood icons can do it all, from an award-winning singing career to acting parts in TV, movies and on Broadway – and sustain that for 40 years.
Special ones can also do that while seemingly ageing backwards as they continue to serve the best looks in glamorous, fierce fashion shoots.
Vanessa Williams is, of course, numbered among the latter, with the Desperate Housewives star, 61, wowing in a series of jaw-dropping looks on a recent shoot.
Williams graced the cover of PhotoBook magazine’s latest edition, released on Thursday, in a striking one-sleeve black dress by Redemption, her long hair wrapped elegantly in braids around her head.
In the rest of the gorgeous sepia-toned set of photographs, the star – who first shot to fame after being crowned the first Black Miss America in 1983 – showed off some other fantastic looks.
These ranged from a simple mermaid-tail Michael Costello gown to an iconic black lace bodysuit.
The multi-talented star has been famous for 40 years (Picture: Mike Ruiz/PhotoBook)
As she releases a new single, she posed in a series of glamorous outfits for PhotoBook (Picture: Mike Ruiz/PhotoBook)
Williams has found success on the big and small screen, on the stage, and as a recording artist (Picture: Mike Ruiz/PhotoBook)
The icon, who has been cast as Miranda Priestly in the musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada this summer, also proved that no pair of heels is too high as she posed with her hands on her hips in a pair of towering Mary Jane-style platforms.
Her career has also included an Emmy-nominated role as Wilhelmina Slater on hit TV show Ugly Betty with America Ferrera, as well as a Tony Award nod for her appearance in a revival of Into the Woods and a huge 11 Grammy nominations across her eight-album musical career.
She even has a new single out, Legs (Keep Dancing), today (Friday April 26), ahead of a full album – her first in 15 years – later in 2024.
She first found fame after being crowned Miss America in 1983 (Picture: Bettmann Archive)
The star became a noughties icon thanks to her role as Renee Perry on Desperate Housewives from 2010 until 2012 (seen with co-star Felicity Huffman) (Picture: ABC)
She also portrayed the villainous Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty for four seasons, scooping three Emmy nominations for her work (pictured with special guest stars Victoria Beckham and Vera Wang) (Picture: ABC)
Williams is also a mum of four, sharing Melanie, Jillian and Devin with her first husband, Ramon Hervey II.
She had youngest daughter Sasha, 23, with NBA basketball player and second husband Rick Fox in 2000.
The star has been married to businessman Jim Skrip since 2015.
Reflecting on 40 years of fame, she admitted that despite a ‘normal and supportive childhood’ in New York ahead of winning Miss America at 20, she now realises that was still a ‘young age’ at which to be thrust into the public eye.
Williams will tread the boards in the UK later this summer in a new musical (Picture: Kristin Callahan/REX/Shutterstock)
One of many stunning photographs (Picture: Mike Ruiz/PhotoBook)
‘Now that I am 61 and looking back that age is actually young. That perspective has changed the older I get. In 1983, times were different, but I knew I would eventually have an opportunity to show my talents and my perseverance through music, acting, and dance,’ she told PhotoBook. ‘That is what I have done over the past 40 years.’
Williams added: ‘Many doubted my talent and intellect because I was crowned as a beauty queen, supposedly negating intellect and talent. So, my biggest challenge was to be seen and respected.
‘That has taken the most amount of time in my career but obviously I have survived and thrived.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.