Essence.com: Back in the day there was a lot of talk about the confusion between you and actress and former Miss America Vanessa L. Williams fighting for the rights to your name. Are you two friends?

Vanessa: I’ve never met her. We’ve been at the same functions and have some mutual friends but that’s about it. It definitely became an issue for me more so because of her infamy but it’s not problematic in that it stops me from getting work. I roll with it because it’s not an issue as much as it is an interesting piece of conversation.

Infamy????? Are you talkin' about that Penthouse spread that she did way back in 1982????

Ain't it petty that she had the nerve to bring that up in an interview recently? Jealousy is a mutha ain't it....

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COMMENTS:

JER-Z_Born
	1st
	--------------- JERSEYS HERE!!973
Jensanbelle
	SO.
	--------------- Akon ft Michael Jackson"HoldmyHands
REBA77
	porn star!
	--------------- THINK B4 U TYPE!
Dimpz
	Fight Fight Fight!!
	--------------- myspace.com/jerseyzprobl3mchild = Ya Boi
SanOn
	So what she brought it up. It's true. She only told the truth that it was the only time it caused her any problems.
	--------------- Not Hating, Just Honest in Brick City NJ
LuxeLife
	This aint nothing new. It's been going on for a few years now.
blackexec
	Girl Fight... Get of your A$$ and Naturally lose 30 lbs in 30 days @
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Zorah
	oh whatever She's speaking her mind. Both r beautiful women....the media, MTO to be exact, will take this to a higher level. i'm betting my 40 acres of land and a mule on that
	--------------- History is being re-written
JUICYCHIK
	STRAIGHT FROM THE SOUTH....BHAM....BABY OOOO...KKKKK, WHATS NEXT
	--------------- ........and you say that to say what?
str8_up_trufe
	Jealousy? MTO shut da f*ck up!
	--------------- Powerful niggatry at work here.
TrinaTruthTella
	Yeah, that [EXPLETIVE] was petty. I be hatin', but damn, I be having good reason to. She ain't have to bring up that ol' news. Don't hate cuz homegirl done gone on to be a much bigger star than you despite her "infamy."
	--------------- Because some [EXPLETIVE] just needs to be said
hollywoodman
	ah who cares about this one. ##### yall check out the Live performance of Chris Brown performing 'Forever' and look at what he is doing. He is going too far in trying to be Michael Jackson! see it live on defSpo t Com
jaybaby
	Well, I could see how she could be jealous. What with the ProActiv commercials and all...
	--------------- Can we get a new Throwback Video, MTO?
addorable4u
	WHATEVER AND THIS IS NEW BECAUSE?????
	--------------- "BE SOMETHING OR STAND FOR NOTHING
AngelicBeauty
	whoa
	--------------- ONLY the sexy survive,.;‘*‘;
knowledge13
	Jaybaby, Please know what you are talking about before you speak! Vanessa L. Williams is not just on proactive, but how about Emmy Winning Ugly Betty. Maybe you've heard of it.....
AngelicBeauty
	i knew she was a undercover freak!
	--------------- ONLY the sexy survive,.;‘*‘;
MCMPop
	Who cares. I'm sure Vanessa a.k.a. "Ugly Betty" Williams isn't tripping. She is doing the damn thing.
Lyrehc
	How is she being jealous MTO??? She didn't mention the Penthouse thing... YOU DID!!! Stop trying to cause drama. They both have to live with the name and who cares which one is more famous. I like them both.
	--------------- OMG, get it together MTO!!!
DREADEDBRUH21
	TWO DEFINDED SISTAS.....THATS SAD
	--------------- ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME
Dark_Czar
	Wow, Somebody had a big bowl of hater stew. This is not the first time that Vanessa Williams from the soul food tv show has talked sideways about the other more famous Vanessa Williams.
Akan5
	Jealous of what ??? Quite as kept the former Miss USA / V.W. got a lot of shine off those Penthouse/lesbo pics because gay Hollywood supports their own.She's got talent too but the other V.W. is a great actress and has nothing to be jealous of.
	--------------- Young President Obama and family
milw242
	This thing is so old.Melrose Place Vanessa had her sag card first, then when Miss America Vanessa came on the scene she had to add the L. so people would know the difference,black folks knew the difference but a lot of white folks claimed that they did not know one from the other. It's all about that sag card.
jaybaby
	@Knowledge13- Look sweetie, I know my facts EVERYTIME I open my mouth. I am very aware of her character on Ugly Betty, however, I was trying to make a point that SIMPLE people might have missed. Just because Ms. USA Vanessa, might have more spotlight, doesn't mean that people such as MTO should read into the other Vanessa's comments and assume she's jealous.
	--------------- Can we get a new Throwback Video, MTO?
samallen
	I'm sorry but I would be jealous of Vanessa L. too....to be pushing 50 (or is she already?) she is a gorgeous and classy. We can ALL hope to age as well.
	--------------- Absolutely Flawless
princedarrell
	LIGHT SKINNED VANESSA GETTIN MORE WORK. MAYBE THATS WHY THE OTHER ONE IS HATING.
	--------------- BROTHERS LETS DO BETTER.
Kasey30
	I HATE when ANYBODY refers to one as the "Soul Food" Vanessa!!!!! Don't you dumb fuks know that they both played in Soul Food??!!?? One in the original movie and the other in the series! refer to them as VW & VLW, or light skinned VW & dark skinned VW, or Miss America VW & New Jack City VW, Ugly betty/Melrose Place etc..
	--------------- Lipstk kila ooh Im such a fukin lady
MDL219
	Hello MTO is was Playboy not Penthouse. Do you ever research things before you state them as fact.
VicSage
	Green Eyed Vanessa is the shiznit period!end of story this other chick just exists for Soul Food the series..Next
	--------------- "Ponder the ? not the answer."
sharies12
	NEXT!
	--------------- I‘m so REAL it scares ME!!
Contrell
	they should tongue kiss and make up
	--------------- #1shooter
sexykitteesmith
	VW did not say anything wrong about VLW. They just had a disagreement about the use of their names in the acting circles. MTO, stop creating beef where there is none.
jerzeethicknez
	Trust...the real Vanessa Williams is not worried about "Keshia". She does sound a little bitter in the interview and that's a shame, because they are both talented. Although, her infamy comes from the line in New Jack City, that we all know and love...."Rocka bye baby!", she shouldn't hate!
	--------------- If You Like It, I Love It
Sweetness1
	@MDL You need to do YOUR research!! It was PENTHOUSE NOT PLAYBODY!!! THE COVER WITH GEORGE BURNS ON IT!!! INSIDE IT HAT HER NUDE WITH SOME WHITE CHICK. I REMEMBER IT CAUSE MY DAD STILL HAS THAT SAME COPY FROM THE 80'S. AND BOTH VANESSA'S CAN ACT, BUT UGLY BETTY VANESSA IS THA SHZNIT!!
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Jtech
	I don't know about you, but that's one sandwich I would like to be in.
	--------------- Still Partying ALLLLLL the time!
MrsLaadee
	Both of these bi*ches are two old washed up actresses that need to hang it up.
Kasey30
	Mrs Laadee you are Dumb. Aint nothin washed up about VLW & with 5 kids I bet she still looks 10x better than you! And cosign sweetness! It WAS penthouse! My grandpa had it & I remember seeing EVERYTHING. MDL crawl back into your hole.
	--------------- Lipstk kila ooh Im such a fukin lady
gigi2007
	they have both worked steadily over the years..so there shouldnt be any bitterness..its not like Vanessa L Williams was doing movies and winning Oscars..she struggled too..if it wasnt for Ugly Betty, she would just be doing Pro Activ info-mercials..so "Keisha" shouldnt be too mad
SEXY-CHRISSY40
	wow they need to stop it!!!!!
	--------------- @ ME THIS FE REAL....
iamhere2letUhaveit
	...BEFORE THE CONTROVERSY...SHE WON THE MISS AMERICA PAGENT ...AFTER THE CONTROVERSY...SHE SOLD MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF RECORDS... ...SHE BEEN TOP BILLING IN BLOCK BUSTER MOVIES FAR BACK AS THE EIGHTIES... ...MISS MEDIOCRE BETTER KEEP RIDING THE COAT-TAIL OF THAT FAMOUS (((((NAME))))) FOR AS LONG AS THE "ORIGINAL" VANESSA WILLIAMS IS IN THE SPOT-LIGHT... ...THE "ORIGINAL" SHOULD'VE NEVER ADDED A (((((L))))) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NAME THAT SHE SOLEY MADE FAMOUS....AND THEN TO LET SOME OOOOOGLLLY CHILDDDD CAME ALONG AND TRY 2 HOUSE IT....ONLY IN HOLLYWOOD!!!!
iamhere2letUhaveit
	...BEFORE THE CONTROVERSY...SHE WON THE MISS AMERICA PAGENT ...AFTER THE CONTROVERSY...SHE SOLD MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF RECORDS... ...SHE BEEN TOP BILLING IN BLOCK BUSTER MOVIES FAR BACK AS THE EIGHTIES... ...MISS MEDIOCRE BETTER KEEP RIDING THE COAT-TAIL OF THAT FAMOUS (((((NAME))))) FOR AS LONG AS THE "ORIGINAL" VANESSA WILLIAMS IS IN THE SPOT-LIGHT... ...THE "ORIGINAL" SHOULD'VE NEVER ADDED A (((((L))))) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NAME THAT SHE SOLEY MADE FAMOUS....AND THEN TO LET SOME OOOOOGLLLY CHILDDDD COME ALONG AND TRY 2 HOUSE IT....ONLY IN HOLLYWOOD!!!!
krw
	She could be just talking about light skinned Vanessa being a former beuaty queen, who Hollywood probably wouldn't take seriously, scandal or no scandal. Casting agents may see her name come up, and not even give her a meeting. Even if she was talking about the scandal specifically, she has the right to answer the question honestly. The name thing probably did affect her career negatively in the beginning because of that.
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jlew911
	TO JUJUL: I got one word for you: SCAM!! Or better yet two words: PYRAMID SCHEME!!! Take that BS advertisment someplace else!!! On the subject above: I think both Vanessa's are great actresses but maybe the dark Vanessa hates a little because V. Williams' gets a bit more work and attention!!
ThoroBellaBaby
	Y'all dug a little too deep MTO. That didn't come off as being jealous at all. So where's the feud? NEXT.....
	--------------- U Beg 2 Shine While I Naturally Glisten
kysauntie
	MTO yall need to stop or maybe everyone on your staff is too young to remember or know that back then it was a HUGE SCANDAL, but my girl came out on top and Vanessa was just stating that when Venessa L. was going thru it, it was the only time it may have hindered (Melrose's) Vanessa career. I got to give it to MTO you have a really CREATIVE staff.
	--------------- R.I.P. Ky - Auntie misses you
timialynn
	ANY WAY
	--------------- `~yes~`
bignsweet1966
	Damn, yall dug way deep for this foolishness.
	--------------- Blessed & highly favored.
jlove56
	Ok...whatever...next story please..
	--------------- Evrybody wants 2 Rule da world.
YOUNGHECTIC
	i think both are beautiful!!!
	--------------- www.myspace.com/jdubbthayounghectic
Traceylicious
	She really ain't have to do that and Essence was wrong for bringing it up...they are getting as stank at MTO...lol.
	--------------- "You Live in a Friendly Universe&qu
Terrideniece919
	What has the dark skin Vanessa done? Ive never heard of her.
	--------------- Unlike T.I My Louie bag Looks Better
JusEvil
	I survived 2 World Wars a polish POPE...9-11 the Sniper shooting NOW this "Discountdna"...."disconted DNA"- Lawd GREAT DAY IN THE MORNING~ WATS iz U TRYNA DO PUT MAURY OUTTA BUSINESS!!! DIS is some [EXPLETIVE]....LMMFAO
	--------------- I keeps it GULLY Bitch
AKeysWannabee
	Whateva.. NEXT!!
Prudyy
	NEXT!!!!!
	--------------- Just keeping it real
mandingo7777
	If the story is true then both need to get a damn grip and stop it beforer it starts. There is enough Hollywood for both.
esotericdredz
	Of course it's jealousy.... Vanessa L. has MORE than bounced back from the controversy back in the day and had an amazing career....Multiple Grammy, Tony and Emmy award nominations, NAACP image awards.....Just amazing success... The other Vanessa is a nobody whose claim to fame was saying "Rock-A-Bye Baby" and getting shot up in New Jack City.... Kinda obvious who the bigger deal is...
	--------------- Not liking bullshit doesn‘t = hating
Lockstress
	One has an L and the other doesn't who gives a ratz azz!
myxy
	melrose Vanessa is a mud duck. Let the true Vanessa Williams (the pretty one) be our queen
QueenDee
	Or MAYBE she could've meant since the other Vanessa Williams is the more famous actress? MTO stop trying to start [EXPLETIVE] all the damn time! She never said "Penthouse" or "nude pictures" or anything else, so stop putting words in her mouth
Tagirl25
	I like both of them. Of course, V. L. has done more but the other VW has done well too. She did her thing on Soul Food and has been acting since the 80's as well. She was in one of Will Smiths early videos. She's done a ton of t.v shows(Cosby, you name it).
lovely81
	Where is the fued??? Shut Up MTO
	--------------- VINTAHJ
NYSDIVA
	THE TRUTH: MS. DRED HEAD greatest work was "Soul Food". She is a D list actress that needs to step her game up.
MrSkullGame
	ROCK A BYE BABY!!!!
	--------------- Myspace.com/bigchops8966
EffDat
	first of all...Vanessa L Williams is not "the other" Vanessa Williams..she is THE REAL Vanessa Williams..and she shouldnt have to put an L in her name. Let that other bitch put a middle initial in HER name cuz nobody cares about her anyway. 2nd of all, she got a lotta nerve calling THE REAL Vanessa Williams "Infamous" shes just mad that when people here "Vanessa Williams" and SHE shows up...they be disappointed cuz they be expecting MISS AMERICA Vanessa, and they get HER India Arie NOT YO AVERAGE GIRL IN THE VIDEOS lookin ass. NEXT!!!!!
EffDat
	Mrs Lady youre an ass. please shut up
ummyeahokwhatever
	Hey I love me some green eyed Vanessa too, but damn it must have been hard being another "black actress" with the same name that white Hollywood only remembers for one thing. She even had to start using her middle initial to differentiate. She wasn't talking slick, she was speaking the truth.
djamilah43
	MTO SHOULD FIND PICKS OF THE FORMER MISS AMERICA WITHOUT HER MAKEUP....
	--------------- ! c@N RiD3 mY BikE w!Th n0o H@nDL3BaRz
soseductive23
	MTO, There you go again trying to instigate.
theblackbarbi
	We all done took some risque photos...some have done it for free others for a lil bit of change....whats the big deal? its her body...at least she got paid.
MakeItHappen
	@ummmyeahokwhatever- I think your perspective is the one Vanessa was trying to convey but MTO being the instigators that they are, took it all out of context. Even though Vanessa'green eyes' has gone on to enjoy a very successful career, the gods were not always smiling on her, she took a lot of flack for something that almost everyone in the entertainment industry has done. At that time, Vanessa 'green eyes' wasn't getting any love nor I'm willing to bet was Vanessa from 'SoulFood the Series. So surely MTO you can understand why Vanessa 'SoulFood the Series' feels the way that she does. It's completely understandable. She was Statin' NOT Hatin'....try it sometimes, you might like it.
MakeItHappen
	Besides as hard as it is for a sister to get a GOOD role in Hollyweird, the last thing you need is to have to explain away some [EXPLETIVE] you ain't even do! Or to wonder whether you're not being called back for a role because of your acting skills or some other BS. Ya'll SHOULD be LIFTING BOTH Vanessa's up because they're BOTH super talented. We're all aware of Vanessa' green eyes' accomplishments but Don't Sleep... Vanessa from the Soul Food Series is a helluva actress, too! Come on now, show the Sistahs some LOVE....BOTH Sistahs.
SkiTTlez
	bitch is just mad 'cause L be gettin' her CASH MONIES and always has been waiter i think the hatin' azz bitch on table 5 has ordered enough Haterade!
	--------------- Taste the Rainbow hoes... I stan for ME!
federationmusicgroup
	If you a rapper and you need some exposure hit me up http://www.myspace.com/federationmusicgroup www.federationmusicgroup (coming soon)
jilt183rd
	Yeah, all she doing is speakin' real. Besides Soulfood, the less known Vanessa hasn't been in anything. Not even a rap video.
MYPINKSUGAH
	VANESSA WILLIAMS ** VERSES** VANESSA WILLIAMS TOMORROW 8 PM CENTRAL SOME BLACK WOMEN ARE SO STUPID, IT OUGHT TO BE AMUSING TO THEM THAT THEY SHARE THE SAME NAME, THEY OUGHT SMILE GREAT ONE ANOTHER. ***** ITS SO PINK ***** ***** ITS SO PINK *****
	--------------- 1003
hippiechic
	I knew which Vanessa was the "hater" before I even read it.
THE_DEFENDER
	I like both Vanessa Williams, I heard of the Pageant winner first. So whenever I hear of Vanessa Williams I expect to see Vanessa L Williams. The other Vanessa Williams is likable after a few minutes when you do not see Vanessa L Williams. Vanessa L. Williams is easy on the eyes and she will always help the other person resume.
lashon1
	don't care for either one of them. Time to move on!!
hellokitty19131
	"Shut the f*** up GIGANTOR"!! or "Faith f***** my husband!" They're both good actresses.
Marcychick
	Ya'll Look Like Asses Assuming!!! Do We Really Know What She Means By Infamy When She Stated It??? NO! MTO Mentioned The Past Not Her!!! Ya'll Love TO Start [EXPLETIVE] LMAO! K.I.C (Keep It Comin')
spiritrising3
	OH DUUUUUH MTO. WHY DID MISS AMERICA ADD A (L) TO HER NAME? MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THE OTHER VANESSA WAS AROUND FIRST SO VLWILLIAMS HAD TO ADD A LIL SUMTHIN. DARK VANESSA HAS NOTHING TO BE JEALOUS OF. SHE IS A FABULOUS ACTOR. SHE REALLY DID THE DAYUM THANG IN NEW JACK CITY. AS FOR LIGHT VANESSA BEING BETTER LOOKING. HMMMMM, SHE LOOKS OLD AS HELL RIGHT ABOUT NOW SO EVEN IF SHE'S BETTER LOOKING NOW, IT WILL NOT LAST MUCH LONGER. SHE'S NOT EVEN 45 YET SHE LOOKS OVER 50. MAKEUP AND PLASTIC SURGERY DOES WONDERS; ESPECIALLY FOR WHITES AND LIGHT COMPLEXION PEEPS. DARK VANESSA WILL NEVER NEED SURGERY. BLACK DON'T CRACK
HotCaliBabe
	She didn't say anything bad about Light Skin Vanessa. I can understand that they're in the same industry and if people weren't hiring because of that PentHouse Spread and they heard the word "Vanessa" it could have affected brown skin Vanessa also. Producers could have gotten the 2 confused...on paper. Back then, if you heard the words Vanessa Williams..it was probably--Nope, I'll pass...not knowing it was a totally different Vanessa. So, I can understand what she's saying. I was ready for some Mud slingin'-and some name calling--I wanted one to say the other can't ACT her way out of a paper bag. Or, doing an ACNE infomercial? Is that the only work she could get??? Now, THAT's dissing the other! Not what homegirl just said--that's nothing!
	--------------- *Gimme 1 second I‘ll pose 4 ya picture
HotCaliBabe
	Plus, I like both Vanessas. They're beauties...and both are really great actresses. And I'm really proud of Ms. America Vanessa-climbing her way out of that craziness back then... only to go on to super stardom. That's a real Go-Getter! Sashay-Shantay!!!
	--------------- *Gimme 1 second I‘ll pose 4 ya picture
iggy8866
	It is amazing what these two beautiful women have in common. Besides having the same name(Vanessa Williams).Both women were born in the same year. Both women are actresses.Both women really good dancers.Both women have the same friends and go to the same events.You would think that two people who so much in common would have no problem being friends,but because main beef is over who has the right to use the name Vanessa Wiliiams. By now they should've settled their differences. You can't compare the two together because vlw's career with her mrs america story,but she was destined to be a star.
iggy8866
	Both women also played a part in either the movie or the show "SOUL FOOD". VAW's career was preety good but she played in some good movies and shows but her career is always going to be overshadowed by VLW's career because whenever anyone hear the name Vanessa Williams everyone automatically think of VLW. VAW has a right to be angry. God blessed her with the talent to act and to dance,but he cursed her with a namesake who career is more prominent and popular than hers.Its like wining 100 million in the lottery and your namesake wins 100 billion in the same lottery.If it is up to VAW.
iggy8866
	Bottom line is VAW is always going to feel cheated and VLW is always going to have more fans because of popularity.People should give VAW a chance. She's a really good actress alot of people might like her more than VLW if they did.


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