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Wisteria Lane is getting more color.Emmy Award-nominated actress Vanessa Williams, whose run as Wilhelmina Slater on the hit ABC dramedy 'Ugly Betty' ended last month, will join the cast of 'Desperate Housewives.'Williams is only the second black woman to star on the hit series, after Alfre Woodard, whose character's Betty Applewhite shook things up during season two of creator Marc Cherry's dramedy.
Woodard's character was a deeply religious woman and single mother, who ultimately fled life on Wisteria Lane after it was discovered that her son, Matthew, played by 'True Blood' star Mehcad Brooks, was a murderer.
The 47-year-old former Miss America joins the cast as a series regular for its seventh season, after the recent exits of stars Dana Delaney and Nicolette Sheridan. According to a representative from the network, her 'Housewives' character will "wreak havoc in the lives of the women on Wisteria Lane."
Williams recently returned to Broadway in 'Sondheim on Sondheim.' The talented thespian is starring in the musical at New York's Roundabout Theater through June. Her performance has already earned her a Drama League nomination. The Grammy Award-winning mother of four continues to record music and released a new studio album 'The Real Thing' last year.
Since its debut in 2004, 'Desperate Housewives' has garnered multiple Emmy, Globe Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards. Though a date has yet to be announced for the seventh season premiere, ABC announced that 'Desperate Housewives' will air Sunday at 9 p.m. this fall. It has also been rumored that this might be the final season of 'Desperate Housewives.'
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All Time:
First off, we acknowledge that 'sexiness' is extremely subjective, but since when has that stopped anyone from offering their opinion? It certainly hasn't kept us from taking note of the women who have served it up to us over and over again on the silver screen. That kind of consistency deserves recognition. That's why Black Voices took time out to compile a list of the top 30 sexiest actresses of all time. Although many of the women on our list have excelled in various media throughout their careers, we decided to rank each actress based on their "sex appeal in feature films, roles and scenes." Whether you agree or disagree with our rankings, we want to hear your opinion. Why not give us your own top 30 sexy actresses list? Please post your thoughts, comments and/or opinions in our community message board. Let the sexiness begin!
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
30. Thandie Newton
It's fitting that British actress Thandie Newton got the lead slot in our countdown. After all, compiling a list like this is sort of a 'Mission Impossible' given the fact that sexiness is completely subjective. Still, Newton sizzles on screen when the role calls for it, whether playing the femme fatale opposite Tom Cruise or the violated wife of Terrence Howard in the 2005 drama 'Crash.' No matter what your taste, leaving Newton off our list would have been an injustice.
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
28. Vivica A. Fox
Vivica Fox managed to heat up the screen even when playing an ice queen a la Mr. Freeze's lusty assistant in 'Batman and Robin.' We should've expected as much from a character named Miss B. Haven. It seems Ms. Fox is destined to live up to her real name, having played sexy roles in 'Booty Call' and 'Two Can Play That Game.'
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
27. Robin Givens
As if posing in a 1994 issue of Playboy Magazine wasn't sexy enough! Robin Givens actually played a sex siren opposite Eddie Murphy in 'Boomerang.' Givens' character Jacqueline ultimately seduces Murphy's character Marcus Graham. Some say she played the same role in real life with her former husband, boxer Mike Tyson.
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
26. Paula Patton
We can see why fellow R&B crooner Robin Thicke decided to put a ring on the finger of this sultry actress (let alone write a song about her). Of course we're sure that's not the only reason, but it couldn't have hurt. Paula Patton makes the list for roles in 'Déjà vu' and 'Idlewild.' Her leading men would be lost without the light she brings to the screen.
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
25. Nichelle Nichols
We couldn't possibly leave the original intergalactic hottie off of this list! If Nichelle Nichols were the future of space travel, what self-respecting Trekkie wouldn't want to get beamed up? We would mention that she was hot enough to entice Captain James T. Kirk into TV's first on-screen interracial kiss, but that wouldn't be saying nearly enough. In her prime Lieutenant Uhura was light years ahead of the competition.
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
24. Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt epitomizes sexiness. Just her name evokes the signature purr she unleashed as Catwoman. The eyes, the hands, the voice, the legs -- they all add to her allure -- yet her sexiness is even greater than the sum of her parts. We'll admit we haven't seen most of her movies, but it doesn't take much to be convinced. Besides, have you ever seen her performance of the song Santa Baby?
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
21. Stacey Dash
'Clueless' is what we would've been had we left Stacey Dash off of this list. Even at 42, Dash hasn't lost much (if any) of the sex appeal she had in her twenties. In fact, she could still pass for a twenty-something. (Well, we'd give her a pass on just about anything, but you get the point.) For further research, just check her 'very tasteful' August 2006 Playboy spread.
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
19. Kerry Washington
There's no denying that Kerry Washington belongs in the 19th position on our top 30 list. The talented actress showed how desirable she can be on screen while portraying Ray Charles' wife, Della Bea Howard Robinson, in the 2004 Academy Award-winning film 'Ray.' Just in case you weren't convinced, her turn as an unemployed and unashamed wannabe mistress in Chris Rock's 'I Think I love My Wife' casts all doubts aside (except for the doubt that a sexy woman like her would've been smitten by Chris Rock's nerdy character). We hear it's good to be a king of comedy.
Top 30 Sexiest Actresses of All-Time
18. LisaRaye
Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but we're sure many men wanted to get cozy with LisaRaye's Diamond from the 1998 drama 'The Players Club.' Sure she played a stripper, but that's not the only reason she made this list. We can attest that working a pole does not necessarily make one sexy -- it takes that extra special something that LisaRaye has shown in every role she's had -- and she works that something to perfection.
Comments: (11)
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By: No1'sname on 5/18/2010 7:14PM
Yep I'll watch because Black women always seem to bring class to a white trashy show! So out goes the trash & in comes class!
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By: Mimi on 5/18/2010 11:18PM
I MUST ADMIT I USE TO WATCH DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES DURING THEIR FIRST SEASON. I STOPPED WATCHING BECAME IT BECAME TOO BORING. NOW THAT VANESSA IS JOINING THE CAST I WILL DEFINITELY BE WATCHING.
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By: GaryTodd17 on 5/20/2010 9:17AM
KEWL! I love Desperate Houswives and have been watching the series since it debuted. IMO the series is great! Lots of mischief, secrets, eye candy, gossip most of all tons of humor. I like how Cherry touches on different topics like child abuse, spousal abuse, and all kinds of other social issues that bedevil our society. Indeed, I was wondering when another African American family would be joining the ranks since Alfre Woodards season ended, glad to see Ms. Williams 1, joining the show and 2, finding gainful employment on such short notice. Vanessa Williams' beauty is timeless like Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, and Dianne Carroll. Congrats V!
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By: GTODD on 5/20/2010 9:21AM
KEWL! I love Desperate Houswives and have been watching the series since it debuted. IMO the series is great! Lots of mischief, secrets, eye candy, gossip most of all tons of humor. I like how Cherry touches on different topics like child abuse, spousal abuse, and all kinds of other social issues that bedevil our society. Indeed, I was wondering when another African American family would be joining the ranks since Alfre Woodards season ended, glad to see Ms. Williams 1, joining the show and 2, finding gainful employment on such short notice. Vanessa Williams' beauty is timeless like Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, and Dianne Carroll. Congrats V!
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By: Tony on 5/20/2010 9:39AM
Yep, I'll watch.. I hope her character is juicy and has substance. she should have a past with carlos, as in his secreat 1st wife
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By: Uriah Jordan on 5/20/2010 11:51AM
No way! I was done with DH when they introduced Alfre Woodward's character and her chained up monkey/son and the psycho murderous son. I couldn't believe that there wasn't a backlash against the show because of it. But then it was just another example of 'Black men are the Boogey man' and 'Don't let them into your neighborhood'. I'm pretty sure they'll have Ms. William's character have an abusive black husband and he'll be run out of town/killed by some handsome white neighbor. Or she'll be the caustic ill-tempered Dragon-woman who has a hate-on for everything that breathes. Hand on hip chicken-neck waving testosterone destroying harpy that is constantly offered to black actresses. See Jennifer Lewis. Typical Hollywood BS. Wisteria Lane can kiss my...
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By: Tee on 5/20/2010 7:28PM
No I will not be watching DH. They are using African Americans,DH ratings are down,
So why not add a sister to the show. DH is a silly and borning show. Good Luck To Vanessa she needs the work.
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By: ithink912 on 5/21/2010 7:24PM
Yes!!! Love DH and LOVE Vanessa Williams! She is an excellent choice. FYI Mr. Jordan, pretty much everyone on DH is or can be "bad." Betty Applewhite and her family weren't singled out. They were boring as hell but not singled out for any more bad behavior than other characters. I can't wait!
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By: ud on 5/21/2010 9:04PM
Hopefully she will cut back on the botox on her forehead. She is naturally pretty, sometimes she looks like Nancy Pelosi.
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By: Marlene Franklin on 5/28/2010 1:59PM
I've never considered Venessa Williams as black. She reminds me of a female version of Barack Obama, black when she needs to be. She plays roles as miss stuck up as if she is better than everyone else like in Soul Food and Ugly Betty. Sorry she will be on Desperate Housewives.
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