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Williams was born in Millwood, New York, to two music teachers who encouraged her pursuit of a career in entertainment. She majored in musical theater at Syracuse University and in 1983, won the Miss America title. The controversy that followed only left her stronger and more empowered in her commitment to a career in entertainment, which has since been honored with two NAACP Image Awards, nine Grammy Award nominations and a number of New York Music Awards. Her musical accomplishments began with her first release, 1988's The Right Stuff, which became a pop and R&B smash. In 1991 Williams released the multi-million seller The Comfort Zone, which featured the hit single "Save the Best for Last," which topped the pop, adult contemporary and R&B charts for five straight weeks and reached number-one success around the world. Williams has recently contributed to several unique musical projects, including Ain't Nothin' but a She Thing, an all-female concept record on which she collaborates with Me'shell N'dege O'cello; People, a release celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations; and Harolyn Blackwell Sings Leonard Bernstein ... A Simple Song, on which she covers songs from the composer's classic "West Side Story." Williams reached another personal and professional pinnacle this year with her performance of the national anthem on the telecast of Super Bowl XXX and her stunning live performance of "Colors of the Wind" on the Academy Awards telecast. Her fourth solo album is expected later this year. Williams has received widespread acclaim for her television performances, whic include the mini-series "The Jacksons: An American Dream," the television movies "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "The Boy Who Loved Christmas" and the Emmy-winning special "Motown Returns to the Apollo." Her more recent television appearances include the mini-series "Nothing Lasts Forever," based on a Sidney Sheldon bestseller; the revival of the musical "Bye, Bye Birdie," opposite Tyne Daly, Jason Alexander and Chynna Phillips; and the animated "Beauty and the Beast" episode of HBO's "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child." Williams other feature-film credits include "Under the Gun," "The Pick-Up Artist," "Another You" and "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man".
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