Controversy erupted on this day in 1984 - when the first Black Miss America was forced to give up her crown after nude photos of her were published in Penthouse magazine. Who would have thought that was the best thing that could have happened for Vanessa Williams?
Artistic photos of Vanessa Williams in simulated sexual poses with another woman were taken in 1982 and published without her consent or knowledge by Penthouse - which purchased the photos. That issue of Penthouse sold over 6 million copies. At the time - I was on the media list for Penthouse and received every monthly issue.
Vanessa Williams was stunningly beautiful and worthy of the title of Miss America - so imagine the controversy over whether the first Black Miss America had to relinquish her crown midway through her reign. But the controversy launched the career of Vanessa Williams. Had she not been required to give up her title - she would have gone on to just be another beautiful ex-Miss America.
The result of Vanessa Williams being forced to give up her title as a result of appearing nude in Penthouse added value to her name - but she also had talent. Vanessa was an actress and appeared in movies, on TV, and on Broadway. In 1991 - her single - “Save The Best For Last” hit #1 in America.
Vanessa Williams was a bona fide star and what may have seemed like her worst moment proved to be her best moment.
What does it say about our country that celebrities who pose nude - or appear nude - in Playboy or Penthouse - ultimately reap great professional benefits? I’m not sure - but it is an interesting phenomenon.
Here is a quick list of those who had their careers launched - or enhanced - by appearing nude in Playboy or Penthouse:
- Pamela Anderson: She established herself as the most popular cover girl and that led to roles in Baywatch and Home Improvement. (And then there’s that video with Tommy Lee!)
- Kim Bassinger: Kim posed for Playboy in 1983 and following that she appeared in the James Bond movie - “Never Say Never Again.” Kim went on to play many parts from “9 ½ Weeks” to “Wayne’s World 2” in 1993.
- Goldie Hawn: Goldie posed for the cover of Playboy later in her career and that rejuvenated her image as a sex symbol.
- Cindy Crawford: Cindy ignored the advice her agents gave her and appeared in Playboy and reaped the benefits of becoming a high-profile personality and model.
- Madonna was already a superstar when nude photos of her were published in Playboy and Penthouse and that only enhanced her status as a superstar sex symbol.
Actress Suzanne Somers - “Chrissy” from Three’s Company - is an actress who some say suffered a major career setback after nude photos taken when she was beginning her career in 1970 were published in Playboy magazine in 1980 - but that was the time when Suzanne was demanding a salary increase from $30,000 to $150,000 per episode of Three’s Company. Suzanne was fired after the salary demand - but if she had not made the salary demand she would not have been fired. So - the career of Suzanne Somers was not affected in a negative way from the publication of the nude photos. And she posed for Playboy in 1984.
The only people who suffered from posing nude or having nude photos published in Playboy or Penthouse were teachers, a police officer in New York, a prison official in Arkansas, and other people who occupied normal, every-day jobs.
Celebrities benefited from posing nude - or from having nude photos published - in Playboy or Penthouse. I think we need to admit that Americans are voyeuristic and nude photos intrigue us and always capture our attention. Of course - I’m talking about America collectively as a society. Certainly - there are Americans who are appalled by nudity and do not look favorably upon those who pose nude. Maybe some are jealous?
The best career move to happen to Vanessa Williams was a career move that was chosen for her. When she was forced to give up her title as the first Black Miss America on this day in 1984 after nude photos of her appeared in Penthouse - her celebrity status skyrocketed and she embarked on her new career.
