Miss America Organization’s Public Apology to Vanessa Williams | Secrets of Miss America | A&E

Miss America Organization’s Public Apology to Vanessa Williams | Secrets of Miss America | A&E

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The Miss America Organization publicly apologizes to Vanessa Williams for the events that happened in 1984, in this bonus scene from Season 1.

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“Secrets of Miss America” delves into the long-kept secrets of America’s oldest beauty pageant, exposing the shocking scandals at its core. A cultural event once viewed by 80 million people a year, the pageant now struggles to stay relevant to a new generation of Americans whose views on beauty and sexual politics have changed drastically over the past few decades.

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50 Comments

  1. They apologized to her because Vanessa Williams became bigger than Miss America itself. Is Miss America even on TV anymore? When Vanessa Williams was crowned in 1983, the pageant was HUGE on NBC the Saturday after Labor Day. When is it on again?

  2. Yes, the organization should have taken her hair into consideration. But why didnt she try to get a brand deal with premium wig crafters?
    I dont see why someone in her position would settle for cheap wigs.

  3. Omg— that’s honestly the saddest, most petty thing to ever put someone through. Her natural hair is GORGEOUS. How dare they tell her it was anything but.

    I really hate the “white/pale/Atype-hair beauty standard.” I legit do not understand it. C-type hair is so pretty, and some dark skin tones literally look otherworldly— so people are either blind or they’re actually jealous of black people. Cause if they can’t have what they have, then destroy it, right? Period. 🤷🏻‍♀️

    Black ladies, don’t damage your skin and hair for the sake of anyone else but yourself. If you want to perm your hair— perm your hair. If you wanna bleach your skin, then bleach it. But know that you do not have to.

    Same goes for pale ladies who think they need to tan— you can stop giving yourself sun-cancer, hunny. But if you like it— go off, sis but please use a lil UV protection (like 20-30%).🙏🏻

  4. I was a junior in high school when Vanessa Williams and that year I won my first beauty pageant crown. I broke down when they removed hers because she was my example. I just didn't understand why over nudes. She was my example of living her life on her terms on becoming a successful human being. She lives unapologetic life. She didn't need their apology. ❤

  5. It’s a honor to see Vanessa Williams up there. She was the most beautiful one then and she still beautiful. Now I cry for this painful moment to see it again shout out to you, Vanessa and your beautiful black woman.❤😢 we go through so much and take the backseat so much for everyone. Stand up for who you are in the sad to hear what they put black women through disgraceful and distasteful.👍🏾🤞🏽 we shall overcome one day

  6. This is awesome, I was always so disappointed for her. I typically don't watch pageants but what happened to Vanessa Williams was horrible. She sure showed them though. That was a case of domestic abuse. I ❤ Vanessa Williams.

  7. This is the first time I’ve watched anything that is “Miss America” since they took her crown !!!!! They broke my heart when I was pregnant with my first baby girl. It was because of Vanessa I learned that inter strength is forever lasting beauty ❣️

  8. America demonized black hair and skin when all along it is the way the original humans were made in the image of God. Wooly hair and burnts skin. Demonizing black people has detroyed lives still is.

  9. I don't know if I agree with the apologies it's empty and doesn't fix anything. The standards were different, and society was content. As times goes on and society evolves we will be apologizing every 40 years for something that we thought was okay but the apology will only come after the perpetrators are long gone so the people who committed the wrong were never remorseful at all. What's done is done and it's an empty gesture.

  10. Wow, that was really big of them to publicly apologize. They could have cowardly done it behind closed doors or not at all. I’m glad Vanessa was able to get closure on that moment.

  11. I don't know i just feel that it's pitiful that we fight tooth and nail to get into white people's circle. As if it's some kind of god like thing to achieve. The breaking barriers makes us look pathetic. As if fighting to fit in and accepted is something to strive for. While ar the same time. We neglect our own and don't see the value in us and our communities.

  12. Still kinda sideswiped there (1984) organizations actual responsibility. Mr. Haskel stated that she 'resigned' maybe technically right. It wasn't the truth underlying Ms. Williams situation . Yeah, she resigned under the threat of resign or be fired, your choice. I am glad for her anyway that she got some sort of public apology.

  13. So what you are saying is if a white woman won she would have to get a fro every day? This hair issue is not an issue. This woman doesn’t need or deserve extra time for hair. She can wear a fro and be proud. Nobody said she had to wear a wig or weaves. Quit trying to look white. Go natural. Don’t be ashamed of your natural beauty. Crying about how white women have it easier is a sorry excuse.

  14. Pfft with all the crazy stuff women are doing these days M.A. is going to wish it was just nudie pics. It's going to be more like M.A. rides a Dragon dilrod, fisting prolapse with Ms. Hands or M.A. runner-up and 1 cup…
    Onlyfans isn't going anywhere my dudes 😂😂😂😂

  15. So Vanessa's then husband, Rick Fox, was playing for the Lakers in the playoffs, and I think he was fouled and went to the line, and the subsequent commentary mentioned that Rick was married to Vanessa Williams, proving that the NBA wasn't the only major league in which he played. Costas nailed it, and Doug Collins was laughing so hard he couldn't speak. Of course, Vanessa was a Syracuse alum, as was Bob Costas, and the moment forever cemented all of them as even bigger legends than anyone might've imagined.

  16. I understand not having a "hollywood" hair stylist in every town but buying a wig at a random store? so you book travel for some appearance and you don't go prepared…

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