Today, (March 18) is Vanessa Williams and Queen Latifah birthday. Along with sharing the same born day, these two divas have more than a few other things in common.
Flip the page to learn more.
Multi-talented
Vanessa and the Queen are actors, singers, spokesmodels, and philanthropists. And let’s not forget Queen Latifah is an MC turned talk show host, while Vanessa Williams was the first black Miss America.
Television and Film Credits
Queen Latifah is best known for her role in the popular 90’s sitcom “Living Single,” while Vanessa had starring roles in ABC’s “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives” (and countless other films.)
Award-Winners
Along with her Miss America title in 1983, Mrs. Williams has won multiple NAACP awards and been nominated for Grammy, Emmy, and SAG awards.
Queen Latifah has won Grammys, a Golden Globe and was also nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Chicago.
Northern Girls
Vanessa was born in Millwood, New York and her alma mater is Syracuse University.
Queen Latifah was born in Newark, New Jersey and her alma mater is Irvington High.
Gay Rights Activism
Both are supporters of gay rights. In 2011, Williams participated in an HRC campaign “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality” while The Queen officiated a gay (and straight) wedding at the Grammys earlier this year.
Endorsements
Vanessa was a spokesmodel for Proactiv Solutions and L’Oreal Cosmetics back in the 90’s. She has appeared in RadioShack, Crest, and Disney Land advertisements. Williams also does the voice of Mrs. Brown, an animated M&M, for Mars incorporated.
Queen Latifah is the spokesmodel for Cover Girl cosmetics, Curvation intimates, and Jenny Craig. She’s also done voiceovers for Pizza Hut.
Tragedies
Queen Latifah lost her older brother in a motorcycle accident in 1992, and also struggled with depression and drug abuse.
Vanessa Williams admitted to being sexually molested by a family friend at the age of 10.
Surgery
Queen Latifah had a breast reduction surgery (which downsized her from a F to a DD cup.)
In 2008, Vanessa Williams admitted to Barbara Walters that she is an avid user of Botox injection, calling it “the miracle drug.”