Grew up in Westchester County, New York

Won the Miss New York pageant

Crowned the first-ever African American Miss America (September)

Lost her title as Miss America when Penthouse released unauthorized nude photoghraphs taken of Williams

Moved to Los Angeles; launched her professional career

Made film debut in "The Pick-Up Artist"

Released first album, The Right Stuff

Released second and most successful album The Comfort Zone

Made Broadway debut in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" replacing Chita Rivera

Released third successful album, The Sweetest Days

First leading role in features, "Eraser"

Co-starred in the sleeper hit "Soul Food"

Played Dulcinea in the TNT production "Don Quixote"

Starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson in John Singleton's "Shaft"

Cast as the Witch in the Broadway revival of "Into the Woods"

Performed title role of "Carmen Jones" at the Kennedy Center; directed by Debbie Allen

Cast in the comedy "Johnson Family Vacation"

Cast in "Ugly Betty" (ABC) as Wilhelmina Slater, the conniving editorial director; earned an Emmy (2007, 2008) nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a SAG (2008) nomination for Best Actress

Signed a $20 million deal to endorse products for Proactiv; will also develop a cosmetics line for the company