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Mother and daughter talk about turbulent years including death threats, divorce and raising children.
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And welcome back to foxnews.com.
-- and as promised earlier right now while we are going to interview Vanessa Williams and her mother Helen.
They are joining us now live by satellite.
And they have co written a new book and there they are -- that thank you so much for joining us the book is called.
You have no idea.
A famous daughter her no nonsense mother and how they survived -- Hollywood at love lost.
And each other.
And that's quite a lot there ladies thank you for joining us this morning -- a I love the way you read the title that's exactly as a I save -- -- there.
It's been a long journey the -- up Miss America.
Many years ago the first black.
Miss America but quickly plunged into controversy.
With the -- publishing -- these controversial photos of you you are willing to.
About that I understand.
Well I talked about -- for many many years and that's one of the reasons why.
I wrote the book I can write on my terms I can tell my story -- don't have to worry about it being filtered or altered by someone's view and at you know I'm 49 years old I've had a fantastic career in just finishing up Desperate Housewives had wonderful.
Good job I'm not an Ugly Betty have been on Broadway and have recording -- success.
And it's a nice time to be able to look at that look at my career.
And also have my mom.
It -- -- -- -- -- sat down to write my thoughts have a common moms say what was going on it than the death threats as Miss America what was happening then.
And I I said it would be much more compelling -- -- involved terrorists so.
It would be my life lessons that I've learned and her trying to comment on where she was at that point and what she was trying to tell me as well so I think.
It's a great handbook for our mothers and daughters and and of course I'm on Zardari strong -- so.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- When not when Vanessa was younger.
Going through -- was some of the struggles.
You mentioned that you know it wasn't always easy back then in the two have you butted heads.
Quite a bit but look now I mean my gosh very so many years now but what was it like back then.
It was it was an interesting time a challenging time.
Time that her dad and I had to trying to.
And clever.
And resources.
To.
Get her to understand that we meant business about a lot of things for example.
I'm sure many mothers out there will they recognize that kids coming in slamming their doors.
And never coming back out to share or be with the family and Vanessa did it consistently.
And we say please don't slam the door it's time to your country didn't placed under that she did it time after time and -- -- finally.
One day her dad said you know you slam the door once more that's enough.
And he took the door off the hinges so that was a really good opportunity for her -- -- because they knew it was that kind of privacy and -- There in -- in your room.
So that was a very I thought resourceful -- clever way to get our point -- I was very creative and a lot of my friends to view is that same -- yeah I'm keeping that in mind right now for my own son and I think people they're good advice.
So Vanessa you have more kids of your own and you've -- a couple of divorces.
-- tell us about your personal family life.
Well.
IA I have my my both my girls are in -- twenties now my son is finishing up his freshman year and at its college MIA I have one left at home now who's.
In six grade so.
Time is is moving very quickly.
But I was lucky enough to be able to have a career and live in my hometown I live where I grew up my kids went to school where I grew up.
So it's been great balance that they've had that foundation.
And that community that's helped raise them along with my dream so I could do Broadway could drive into the city and be on stage I could fly and beyond they can.
On location and do a film -- -- And then of course you know work on television and and recording so.
I I've had a really fortunate time to be supported.
The entire time.
And your dad and I lived a very very close to where she is in town so we are always there.
Ready for her that is fantastic great to keep your family close that that really health especially when you have kids of your own.
So -- -- you've been involved in every facet of the entertainment industry.
You've had had you know hit songs and you've been on Broadway and you've been in Hollywood you've done movies.
And of course a television shows you say is your favorite experience out of all that.
Well I would my favorite genre is.
Is Broadway.
Musicals because I get a chance to sing and dance and act every night to with a fantastic ensemble.
The last thing I did on Broadway was Sondheim on Sondheim we did at the roundabout honest it's 2542.
Years ago.
And it was about Stephen sondheim's life and I got a chance to sing and dance and act with some fantastic people and create my own little roll.
Within that production so that's it out in my absolute favorite.
So how your kids feel about all of that all of your fame to they take it in stride.
Or my kids know it's hard work can mean they've been and my trailers on I am doing a movie they've been backstage when I'm on Broadway.
-- in the recording studio they they understand.
Be that preparation and the time that it takes two to be in the entertainment business so.
I only have one at this point two.
Ones to follow my footsteps she's a dancer right now so -- -- -- modern dance company just graduated from college last year.
She's singing and writing music.
And says she's like my 22 year old -- is she's been on the daytime Emmys as -- issues performed in Japan and just did my.
My New Year's Eve concert in Vegas -- may so she's she's.
Underneath my wings so to speak but down the others -- all.
Talented -- -- and hard workers and we'll see where they and that.
This is the kind of lifestyle that they volleys hand -- -- is what mom does this is her job.
All right well it's up fascinating read Vanessa Williams and Helen Williams.
You have no idea.
Check it out thank you both so much for joining us this morning best of luck to you.
