Former Miss America Vanessa Williams has been named the head judge of the 2016 Miss America Pageant, organizers announced Tuesday.
Williams was crowned Miss America in 1984, becoming the first African-American woman to win the pageant, but not without controversy. The model, who has found success in virtually all areas of the entertainment industry, was forced to resign 10 months after winning the crown when nude photos from her past appeared in Penthouse magazine.
But now it appears the organization is welcoming the former beauty queen back with open arms as she joins host Chris Harrison, co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet, music curator Nick Jonas and celebrity judges Brett Eldredge, Taya Kyle, Danica McKellar, Kevin O’Leary, Amy Purdy and Zendaya.