Vanessa Williams made a stunning appearance on Monday, showcasing her remarkable weight loss transformation as she kicked off the opening night of her residency at 54 Below in New York City. The 62-year-old actress, who has hailed the medication Mounjaro as a "game-changer," looked radiant in a silver sequinned ensemble that captivated the audience.
A Glamorous Night in New York
For her performance, Vanessa donned a dazzling silver sequinned blazer paired with a sleek black bodysuit and matching sparkly trousers. She completed the glamorous look with classic stiletto heels and wore her hair styled straight, exuding confidence and elegance on stage. Her show, titled The Comfort Zone, offers a musical journey through her career, described as a "musical stroll down memory lane" at the iconic venue.
Weight Loss Journey with Mounjaro
In a recent interview with Hello! magazine, Vanessa confirmed she has been using tirzepatide, known as Mounjaro in the UK, for two years. She explained her motivation, stating, "It's a game-changer. When I turned 60, I was like: 'I want to be here for a long time, and I want to look my best. So what am I going to do?'" This revelation highlights her proactive approach to health and wellness as she embraces her sixties.
Revealing a Hidden Trauma
Beyond her weight loss success, Vanessa bravely opened up about a deeply personal trauma from her childhood. Last month, she disclosed that she was molested at the age of 10 but kept it secret for decades, fearing her father would not be able to cope with the knowledge. She first shared this ordeal in her 2012 memoir, You Have No Idea, co-written with her late mother, Helen Williams, six years after her father, Milton Williams Jr., had passed away.
Vanessa detailed how an 18-year-old girl performed oral sex on her during a holiday in California, just before she entered fifth grade. Upon returning home, she learned her uncle had died, leaving her father devastated. Unwilling to add to her family's pain, she suppressed the memory for years. Speaking on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, she reflected, "It was a different time. It is not an excuse, but it is also kind of sad when you realise it's happened to so many people. It was heartbreaking."
Support and Advocacy
Vanessa was supported at her residency opening by her Ugly Betty co-star Michael Urie, showcasing the strong bonds in her professional life. Her candid discussion about abuse aims to raise awareness and support for others. She emphasised the difficulty of discussing such topics with parents, noting, "Unless you've got a really extraordinarily close relationship, it's hard to talk to your parents about anything that's unusual."
If you have been affected by sexual assault, contact Rape Crisis on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat. For concerns about child sexual abuse, call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
