45. VANESSA WILLIAMS GIVES UP CROWN IN CENTERFOLD SCANDAL
When 21-year-old Syracuse University student Vanessa Williams became the first African-American to be crowned Miss America, all she wanted was to give world peace a chance. Instead, she found herself at the center(fold) of controversy during her reign when naked photos of her surfaced in the pages of Penthouse. The magazine spread triggered so much controversy, Williams was pressured into giving up her title in July 1984.
CAREER IMPACT Positive. The hubba-hubba hubbub seemed to pave Williams' way to Hollywood: She later found success as a Grammy-nominated R&B/pop singer and built a legitimate career in film and TV. Nominated last month for an Emmy, she co-stars on ABC's hit dramedy Ugly Betty with her clothes on (most of the time).
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