Ugly Betty’s Vanessa Williams spent time yesterday helping a very worthy cause, Dress For Success.  Here is an on-the-scene report.

Williams was at Grand Central Station yesterday, encouraging women  to donate their clothes to Dress For Success, an organization that donates clothes and gives advice to women to help them succeed in the workforce.

Vanessa said, "I am representative of working women, of women that want to look their best, who want to look and express their success in the way that we can and we want to help women that are in need and give them a start to look their best too. "

Sponsors of yesterday’s event committed $250,000 to the nonprofit organization.

Way to go, Vanessa!

Here are a couple of pics of Ugly Betty’s Vanessa Williams at the launch party for Sam Fine’s “The Basics of Beauty” DVD.  Fine is a legend in celebrity makeup, as you can tell by one of his clients - Vanessa!

I lovelovelove this dress!  Perfect length, perfect cut, and I’ve always loved gradients in dresses.  As usual, Williams looks absolutely beautiful.

The launch party was held at Warren Tricomi salon in NYC, and many celebrities were there; not only Vanessa, but Taraji P. Henson, Iman, Deborah Cox, RuPaul, Wendy Williams, Cynde Watson, Llyod Boston, Mikki Taylor, AJ Crimson attended, amongst others.

Fine is passing some of his secrets to the rest of us:  The Basics of Beauty is a step by step guide to creating great faces, just as he has for Williams, Halle Berry, Brandy, Tyra Banks, and countless others.

Vanessa seems to have had the busiest summer of the Ugly Betty cast so far, at least by appearances.  It seems she’s been everywhere!  (not to discount Michael Urie’s Tempermentals run, or Ana Ortiz’s baby-carrying ).

Pictured here are Iman, Sam Fine, Deborah Cox and Vanessa Williams.  I must say, Mr fine has an impressive clientele!

Images: SplashNewsOnline.com

Have you seen the Ugly Betty casting news first seen on SpoilerTV, then confirmed by Ausiello?

Exclusive - Ugly Betty - Episode 4.01 - Casting Call for Major Recurring Role
[EMILY] 20’s, female, gorgeous, African American, must be a strong actress. MAJOR RECURRING ROLE.

I’ve seen speculation that this is a reworking of Wilhelmina’s daughter, but this makes no sense to me.  Wilhelmina’s daughter was named Nico (speaking of, I DO think it’s time for her to make an appearance again).

Besides, that whole “new Darren” thing always leads to no good.

The name of this character (Emily), also blows a theory I had when I first saw this.  I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be neat if in season 4 Wilhelmina had visions / flashbacks just as Betty did in seasons 1 and 2?  I can see Willy, right after some dastardly deed, having a conversation with “Wanda”, her younger, pre-Wilhelmina self.

The only problem with this is that it would be almost impossible to pull off, because we ALL are very familiar with what young Vanessa Williams looked like (some of us who got our hands on a certain magazine have seen more than others ).

So, this “Emily” is a new character.  Could she be Matt’s new girlfriend?  A new corporate person?  A model with a secret?

The only thing I ask the producers – PLEASE do not make her a love interest for Daniel.  At LEAST give the man till the mid-season break to grieve.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Here is video of Ugly Betty’s Vanessa Williams performing at her CD celebration at Greenhouse in NYC (hat tip: vivalariviera.com)

I absolutely LOVE the title track from Vanessa’s CD (The Real Thing).  The more I hear it, the more I want to hear.  She also performs Just Friends, which is also a nice groove.

The feedback trouble at the beginning of Just Friends was unfortunate, but it happens to the best of sound techs in smaller rooms.

Ana Ortiz can bee seen in the crowd shots thoroughly enjoying herself.  Michael Urie, seen briefly, also seems to be enjoying the music.

It occurred to me listening to Vanessa sing that she wouldn’t make it past the first round on American Idol, which is a shame.  Not that Williams can’t sing (far from it), but Idol encourages a certain style of over-singing that leaves no room for Vanessa’s subtle smoothness.  That’s a shame - we may never find the next Vanessa Williams because every young singer is out there practicing vocal acrobatics and full-throttle volume singing.

But, before you remind me that this isn’t a music blog, let me just say that Vanessa looks fabulous, and I like her in her “singing” hair (she pulls it back when she’s in singing mode).

I’m so jealous of those of you who were there!

I ran across these photos of Ana Ortiz at the celebration of Vanessa Williams‘ CD release celebration last week, and I had to share them.  Ana is, as they say, about to pop.

It seems like the whole Ugly Betty crew was there.  I think America Ferrera is in LA shooting her new film, but otherwise, Ana, Tony Plana and Michael Urie were in attendance.

I’ll be doggoned if she isn’t wearing high heels in these pics.  I have been proven wrong.  (I said several times that Ortiz  would stop wearing heels when she got late in the pregnancy.  She is made of stout stuff).

On top of all that, she looks absolutely gorgeous.  I LOVE this form showing dress.

And, here is one of the cutest pics you’ll ever see, of Ana with Tony Plana and Michael Urie.

Heh.  When the baby gets older, this will be a fun one to look at.  Ana, the boys, and baby makes four!

I think she’s due early in July (and of course, shooting for the 4th season of Ugly Betty starts in early July).  But, like I said, Ortiz is made of stout stuff, so I have no doubt she’ll be in on the shooting in in no time.  At worst, Hilda may be on a “getaway” with Archie in episode 4.01.

Images: SplashNewsOnline.com

OK, the VAF (View Annoyance Factor) was minor, so here is the video of Ugly Betty’s Vanessa Williams singing “Just Friends” from her album “The Real Thing” on The View.

This one she performed as more of a duet, with Darius de Haas.  I thought he did a fantastic job on the harmonies.

I didn’t realize till I heard this performance that this was a “cheatin’” song.  Being from Nashville, I’m kind of a connoisseur of these things -  Just Friends sets the perfect tone, allowing for the balance between guilt and desire.  And, once again, you can hear Babyface’s touches all through the production.

I did not watch the broadcast; did this have an interview segment as well?  I’d love to be able to post a video of Williams speaking about her new album.

Check out the video of Ugly Betty’s Vanessa Williams singing the title track from her new album, The Real Thing, on Good Morning America:

This is a wonderful song - my favorite so far from Vanessa’s new album.  What a true diva!  (And I mean that in the best sense of the word).

She has not lost any of her wonderful, crystal clear voice.  In fact, it might have even improved with age.  I know only a few singers who can keep pitch so perfectly in a live performance.  In fact, I had to watch twice to make sure she wasn’t lip syncing.  The trumpet in the horn section didn’t quite hit one of the notes in the intro - it was very much a live performance.

And that dress - it’s perfect for her.  I don’t know if I’ve seen her in this color before (what do you call that?  mauve?  plum?), but it looks wonderful on her in full length, and it would be cool if Williams wore it more often.

If you get a chance to see Vanessa perform live this summer, take it!   What a treat!  (There’s no mention of a tour at her web site, but she will probably perform here and there.  Singers sing - we can’t help ourselves)

This probably won’t be the last video of Williams this week - she’s on a whirlwind of activity promoting the album: ET, Jimmy Fallon, The VIew.  I may or may not post William’s appearance on The View tomorrow - it depends on how annoying the ladies are. 

Vanessa Williams’ newest album (her 13th!) goes on sale tomorrow.  It is entitled The Real Thing, and, I’ve already posted a couple of videos from the album.  Maybe it’s just that I’ve matured along with Vanessa (we’re about the same age), but I really love what I’ve heard so far from the Ugly Betty star.

The reviews have been mixed, although this one at Slant Magazine is nothing short of scathing.

The pacing on the album is so languid and the arrangements so staid that it would put every last shopper at JC Penney and Sears right to sleep, and neither of those stores could withstand such a blow to their profit margins in the current economy.

Ouch.

The critic, Jonathan Keefe, continues:

It’s tempting to say Real Thing sounds instead like music for a Hallmark store, what with the chintzy chime flourishes on nearly every track and tepid piano work that’s foregrounded in the mixes, but that feels vaguely insulting to Precious Moments figurines and Beanie Babies.

OK, this is almost as harsh as the two-word review for Spinal Tap’s Shark Sandwich.

It turns out Keefe’s real problem is with the production, not Williams herself.  He notes that “her voice has lost none of its pitch-perfect clarity or its rich, pure tone over the years.”

As for the understated production beneath Vanessa’s perfect-pitch voice, in effect showcasing it, all I can say is maybe that was the idea, Sherlock.

Anyway there are other reviews out there, many of them good, and seemingly all of them complimenting Williams’ vocals.  If you run across any notable ones, feel free to post a link in the comments.

Here is another music video from Vanessa Williams‘ new album The Real Thing.  This is a song from the Ugly Betty star called Close To You.

This one really makes me want to go find a hammock on a beach and just chill.  It has a real Brazilian feel - Vanessa even sings a verse in Portuguese!

Close To You was written by Babel Gilberto, and produced by, you guessed it, Babyface Edmonds.  The instrumentation is minimal, giving Vanessa’s voice the full limelight.  Nice.

In this video, Williams does quite a bit of dancing (too bad her schedule wouldn’t allow a DWTS appearance as a contestant).  It is quite sensual as well, shedding any connection at all to Vanessa’s character Wilhelmina.

The Real Thing will be available June 2nd - (the album’s page at her website says “At Target”, but I don’t know if it’s an exclusive deal).

Here are a couple of pics of Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams at the 2009 Logo NewNowNext Awards.

Vanessa doesn’t wear black much in these public events (forgive me if her dress is navy). The pattern is really interesting, but doesn’t distract from the overall look.

The NewNowNext Awards (produced by cable network Logo),  are celebrate the best in pop culture from a GLBT point of view.  From the website of the awards:

The NewNowNext Awards are bringing you another celebration of fresh, freaky and up-and-coming pop culture, celebs and saliva-inducing stuff. Every year we hand out awards to the new, now and next stars of film, TV, music - and your iPhone.
This year, the awards will air on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 9:00 PM ET/PT. The event is hosted by none other than the legendary drag racer RuPaul, and will feature tons of special guests and performers like Vanessa Williams, Britney Spears, Cheyenne Jackson, Morningwood, and more.

I have no doubt they will be absolutely fabulous.

As for Vanessa, and her character Wilhelmina, I didn’t think they could pull it off, but the writers of Ugly Betty were able to bring the character back to the scheming, clawing, evil character we knew from season 1 and parts of season 2, almost seamlessly.  I found it interesting that they also added a bit of intrigue with the search for Connor. It reminds me of the intrigue in season 1 with the Fey Sommers mystery.

As an aside, I don’t think the man Wilhelmina hired was a “hit man” per se, but y’all are probably right- he’s not a private detective either, because killing Connor may or may not be part of the deal.  For now, we’ll just call him a “shady character”.

More great pics of Vanessa after the jump!

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