This woman was the first black Miss America, but she was forced to resign her title in a controversial manner in 1984. Who is she, and what caused her to resign?

In 1983, Vanessa Williams made history when she was crowned the first African American Miss America. However, her reign was cut short in July 1984 when she was forced to resign under controversial circumstances. The scandal erupted after Penthouse magazine announced its intention to publish nude photographs of Williams that had been taken two years prior to her winning the pageant. The photos were sold to the magazine by the photographer without her consent.

The controversy stemmed from the conflict between the wholesome image the Miss America pageant promoted and the explicit nature of the photographs. Facing immense pressure from the Miss America Organization, Williams relinquished her crown, becoming the first Miss America to ever resign. Her first runner-up, Suzette Charles, who was also African American, took her place for the remainder of the reign.

Despite the setback, Williams went on to have a highly successful career as a singer and actress. Decades later, in 2015, the Miss America Organization issued a public apology to Williams for the events of 1984, acknowledging the difficult circumstances she faced. This moment was seen as a significant step in rectifying a long-standing controversy and honoring her legacy.