Vanessa Williams Launches Comeback Single “Legs (Keep Dancing”

Perfect. She looks great for 61, and moves great. Catchy song that's age appropriate for where she is in her life right now. This is how you remain relevant in the pop world without playing yourself.

She’s taking a page out of Adele Dazeem’s playbook and going after that pink pound (aka the bottom dollar).

Much catchier than I was legspecting. She looks amazing.

Sounds like a RuPaul song, which makes perfect sense considering she is THEE Wilhelmina Slater. Her older music was very dreary and didn’t match her public persona.

Save the Best for Last is one of the loveliest ballads of the 90s and is right up there with Toni and Whitney’s best. She never lived up to that potential again and is a bit of a one hit wonder (musically) but it’s nice to see her having fun here.

Yep R2 this sounds a lot like the Idina Menzel album from last year, which itself sounded a lot like a retread of Kylie's Disco.

She’s no Taylor Dayne.

I once assisted backstage at a fundraiser Ms. Williams performed at and she has the most magnificent tits I’ve ever seen in person. Spellbinding eyes, too. And TALL.

Is done with the elevator music?

It's a fun song and she looks great. I have always really liked her.

Why is she so gorgeous??

I hope it’s a hit for her.

I helped her stylists out with some clothes and she sent me a thank you note. The only celeb that ever did that. I love her. She should be Spiderwoman instead of JLO. I hope Devil Wears Prada is a huge hit for her-she deserves it. Also, I hear tell she used to peg Rick Fox but that’s none of my business…

Why anyone would cast Jlo is a mystery. She is box office poison, especially now.

And her equally attractive brother is one of us.

You're as young as you pretend!

She's lacking in danger...

How ableist!

The song & video actually got better as they progressed, this was so catchy! She looks like she's having a blast. Beginning of track has too much production on her vocals, which we know she doesn't need. Makes it start out like an early 2000 dance pop single. Then as the song goes on it's more of her voice coming out.

It's actually nice to see an adult with a personality delivering song.

I wonder how many days she spent in bed after this video shoot.

This looks like a Boniva commercial, but it was very cute and Vanessa Williams is a doll, so more power to her.

Is that Michael Urie in the limo?

R24 it sure is! I just noticed that.

Is that also David Alan Grier in there?

Heart her.

Vanessa looks great under the clothes. Speaking of, some quite cheap and regrettable choices.

Sorry but the music is shitty nudisco. Reminds me of Katy Perry.

R8 “And TALL.”

What? I met her also at a fundraiser. She was not tall. Are you a midget? She’s 5’6”. Perhaps she had very high heels when you met her.

Most importantly she was so nice and normal at this event. She even made a sweet joke about the dessert - something like ‘please tell me I can get some of this to go, I’m squeezed so tight into this dress but later, I plan on pigging out.”

I don't think anyone has ever had a bad word to say about her. Pleasant, completely professional, talented and still age-appropriate gorgeous.

Luff huh. Beauty, brains, and talent. She also puts on one helluva concert.

I mean, her voice, while pleasant, is not a diva multi-octave range. But sister knows how to work it.

I think Vanessa is so nice because she had her big scandal early on and is happy to have the opportunities after that that she’s gotten. Getting something like fame and nearly losing it probably gives someone a better sense of gratitude.

That stupid scandal seems so quaint now in the age of celebrity sex tapes.

Vanessa serving up a master class on how to be fun, classy and as R29 says, “age-appropriate gorgeous”

JLo, take note.

I've seen her on Broadway about four or five times and one thing that I've noticed consistently is that she has an absolute joy at every curtain call. No matter what character she's playied or the nature of the show, once the last lines have be said/sung, she is just ebullient about having had the chance to share the experience with the audience (especially after Into The Woods).

I see that same energy in this video. To take R34 's comment further; the song is pablum pop but she's doing it with her audience for fun and without any mandate to serve attitude.

The difference between Miss Vanessa and Paula Abdul? Miss Vanessa can sing.

Paula can dance. Paula also broke Billboard records.

She also broke the stage because she’s gotten so fat. They don’t belong in the same paragraph.

Fun song. She is beautiful, talented, and seems kind, and after that initial “scandal” (which I always thought was such a bullshit thing) she seems to have remained drama-free. Love her.

Agree with all the comments saying this is how you do "age appropriate sexy". Sexy done right at this age should be fun, light, vibrant, cheeky. It's about feeling yourself FOR yourself, not for the male gaze. She actually looks like she's enjoying herself, not struggling to produce a stool, which seems to be JLo's "sexy face" of choice.

Doing it wrong is simulating actual sex—panting, sweating, writhing around on the floor humping and moaning—will never not feel performative, desperate, and creepy after a certain age, no matter how great your body still looks.

I love her, but this is D-list quality -- as others have said -- it sounds like a Rupaul B-side.

Love her. I did see her a 54 Below a couple of years back but she wasn't this thin. I mean she looked spectacular and gorgeous but this looks like she lost a lot more weight. Wonder if it's an ozempic thing?? She looks fantastic either way.

I think it is hard to over estimate how amazing her comeback was after her Miss America debacle.

She was 21. And the fact she went from pop to the Broadway stage... she must be one tough cookie. Nothing but respect.

I've always liked her.

Love her. The bitch looks great.

They all knew she was going to win..

[quote] and is right up there with Toni and Whitney’s best

Oh for fucking crying out loud.

One of the best things Mad TV ever did.

Oh wait, it was In Living Color. (Time for bed, grandpa!)

The song is not super great, but the club queens will likely eat this up with the usual "Mother is mothering" sort of nonsense.

Can someone (smarter than I), explain why it is on her, very new with no subscribers, personal channel, and not her VEVO? i presume it is some record label bullshit, but I’m curious if anyone knows hot it works.

How it works

Hyperbole will never die on Datalounge!

She looks great. Her daughter is in a band called Lion Babe and she makes great music

Yep r46 as soon as they called the first runner up the remaining 5 all turned and looked at Vanessa. Miss Texas from that year said right after she won Miss Texas her director told her she wasn’t going to win Miss America it would be Miss New York (Williams) they knew how good she was before the pageant.

She’s nine hundred years old. Who is this music supposed to be for?

Sorry, this looks like Sally O’Malley to me. You’re 60 and look pretty much the same… so let’s record this generic nursing home jazzercise jam?

I met Vanessa at a stage door and I would describe her as tall. She was wearing heels but she was 5’9” at least, and very statuesque. It was freezing and she was in a slip dress, but she still took the time to sign autographs and take photos with every single person who was waiting. Vanessa is a class act.

Awful, cheap song but she just radiates beauty and joy. I’m sure this is self-funded hence the reason it sounds so chintzy.

Vanessa becoming the most iconic and successful Miss America is such sweet revenge. She’s always been a zaftig stunner and yet she’s looking uncharacteristically svelte here. Ozempic?

OMG AUNTIE SLAYED SO HARD OMG

The Ozempic troll needs to be drawn, quartered and left for dead in a Santa Monica canal. And then open Karen Carpenters coffin, shoe that motherfucker in there, and the cunt can smell Ipedac breath as that things corpes twits and turns.

[quote]Vanessa becoming the most iconic and successful Miss America is such sweet revenge. She’s always been a zaftig stunner and yet she’s looking uncharacteristically svelte here. Ozempic?

NO ITS NOT FUCKING OZEMPIC YOU PIECE OF FAGGOT SHIT

R62 Or maybe people are just noticing her very obvious weight loss? Vanessa hasn’t been this slender in decades.

You are insane r64.

[quote] Paula also broke eardrums.

FIFY

But is she right? Are the legs the last to go?

Vanessa’s runner-up/replacement thinks Miss America’s apology to Vanessa was unnecessary and a ploy for ratings. Sounds like Ms. Charles is just bitter because no one remembers her.

R68 I remember Suzette Charles. She being another sista was the only reason people didn’t riot in the streets after Vanessa lost her crown. Suzette only wore the crown for 7 weeks and she tried to capitalize on the fame with a recording career, much like Vanessa. But the album flopped and she’s still stuck in Vanessa’s shadow, hence the sour grapes.

Suzette Charles is a black Republican. A special kind of stupid.

Every time I see Vanessa Williams name I remember a study friend of my college roommate. If Save The Best For Last came on a quiet storm type show, this girl would never fail to say "if sometimes the sun goes round the moon then this man she's singing about would be the least of her problems." Like it was funny the first time but then it just got old. Ruined that song for me for years.

R62 is entirely too kind to the DL body bullies

Great song. Good for her.

Another perfect diva for us:

She may have gotten a bit thick in her 50s but she was never “zaftig” especially during the beginning of her career.

I knew her when I was a child and she was middle school - high school age. She was the most exquisite being I had ever seen. I remember she had long, slender legs and moved like a gazelle. Like most girls that age she had no self awareness of her exquisiteness. I didn’t have any idea I was gay yet but I definitely had an aesthetic appreciation of her beauty.

R73 I always thought Vanessa and Lynda should play long lost sisters (from another mister) in a Hallmark/BET production. I’d so watch that shit.

born beautiful

I still miss Ugly Betty and Willi.

R1 How is it relevant? It’s not going to sell or get played on the radio lol.

r77 streaming on Netflix and Hulu

Her headpiece is off-center at 2:13.

R78 you didn't get the memo. ONLY DELUDED YAZQUEEN HYPERBOLE ALLOWED.

[quote]That stupid scandal seems so quaint now in the age of celebrity sex tapes.

Wait until the pendulum swings back with a vengeance.

R78 People over the age of 12 don’t type “lol.”

R82 meaning?

This is old people music. This is Diana Ross’ “Workin’ Overtime” music.

R83 They do but I get you don’t know anyone under 60 lol.

I noticed her looking extremely (worryingly) thin in some recent photos but she looks great in this video. Maybe it translates better in motion.

R85 She IS an old people.

'The Legs Are The Last To Go' is the title of the 2008 memoir of legendary stage and screen actress, Diahann Carroll. It became apparent to singer, actress, and cultural icon Vanessa Williams, that this would be the inspiration for her long awaited reclamation of her status as dance music royalty. With the assistance of producer Chantry Johnson, songwriter Kjersti Long, and longtime collaborator Kipper Jones, Vanessa Williams has done just that, re-emerging with her new single and music video “Legs (Keep Dancing)!”

R89 Dance music royalty?? Isn’t she known for singing standards and MOR ballads?

I am looking forward to her once again singing "Happy Days Are Here Again" on January 20, 2025.

[quote] She’s nine hundred years old. Who is this music supposed to be for?

It's a buzz track. It's cool -- witty, playful and exuberant. Her last album was more than 10 years ago. I am sure the album will feature several gorgeous adult contemporary ballads -- her strong suit.

R89 is a quote of PR nonsense.

[quote] This is old people music. This is Diana Ross’ “Workin’ Overtime” music.

Hardly, "Workin' Overtime" was dreadful. This song is wholly appropriate for a 61 year old. The message is inspiring and a rallying cry for other late-middle aged women enjoying the rejuvenating aesthetic effects of semaglutide medications.

OH OH OH OZEMPIC…

Since when is Vanessa Williams dance music royalty.

Please read post R93. And develop a sense of where texts come from.

R97 Maybe her reps should try telling the truth instead of making up outright falsehoods. She’s known for singing elevator music. She’s hardly Donna Summer or Madonna.

Sounds like a song perfect for a commercial.

One of the writers of this song is 17 and from TikTok.

She is 61. Looks amazing, so perfectly beautiful. I've always loved her. You go, chica!

Sail on silver sister.

I really love this and her in it—it’s got a nice retro early ‘90s dance vibe to it. :)

Miss Vanessa Williams may be the only celebrity apart from Dolly Parton that DL universally likes. She looks, sounds, and moves great.

r104 Whoa!!! A friend and I said the exact same thing last night! Eerie!

^ that other voice on a cruise ship

R104 Damn you to DL hell!!!

How can she look like that? I'm 50 and look like Beetlejuice. 😞

Absolutely LOVE Vanessa Williams! She looks flawless and gorgeous at 61 and the song is very catchy. I hope all good things for her.

She got the good genes R108.

I just noticed Michael Urie.

[quote] Since when is Vanessa Williams dance music royalty.

Bitch, what?!!!!

Some have poor memories.

I really like everything about her. I loved her music in high school. Then she sort of faded for me. I recently bought all her digital stuff and loaded it on to my phone. It stands up really well. It could be released today and still be out of the oven hot. The Right Stuff and Work to Do are the standouts. Yes I love her

Dreamin' = A+

Classy, talented, elegant, beautiful, grateful and gracious performer. Just lovely, dignified and likable.

She’s the anti J.Lo.

R111 These songs were not hits and no one remembers them. There is a reason she pivoted from being faux Janet to faux Celine Dion.

^^^ FWIW, a mutual friend we had at the time told me that she told him the "pivot" was all about trying to get a Grammy. (which is something that has still eluded her after 11 nominations--mostly for "Save The Best For Last").

If that is true, an older & wiser Vanessa, who has done several acclaimed movies, television shows, concerts and has a nomination for her work on Broadway (which she has always said was her first and true love), may just be saying she's going to enjoy doing whatever she enjoys doing and, as this song says, "...time is managed doing much better things than trying to prove myself to you"

Better than her last dance track.

These types of threads always remind me of how much America hates older people, aging in general. They worship youth without even realizing how absolutely stupid and unformed, uninformed, young people are. Most of us were at that age - thinking you know everything when in actuality you know very little about life. Yet these are the people we defer too to dictate what is important, cool, viable? And the age a reference even gets younger and younger - "No one over 25..." "No one over 15.'

There was this one song at Saremeno called Non Tutta la Vita performed by this act Richhi e Poveri that was popular in the 80s. Completely cheesy and fun song. Their day has come and gone, but they were given space to compete and perform with the rest of the much younger acts. They were received with open arms and cheers. Not every culture throws their older performers, their legends, away. And the woman performing it was full of such excitement and giving it her all just to be able to perform again. People didn't make fun of them, they loved them. Every time I hear the song, it reminds me of how happy I am to be somewhere where younger generations don't rule the roost.

I love the lyrics and attitude. She looks like she’s having a great time in the video. I like hearing dance pop from her again.

r118 = Betty White

Can't wait to see her as Miranda Priestly in Devil Wears Prada musical in London later this year!

122 comments about this boring woman, wow.

Vanessa, unlike Madonna, actually has a sense of humor.

And you added the 123rd, R123

Weren’t both of her parents music teachers or something? She’s apparently extremely nice to everyone she works with.

Don’t forget her lesbian porn pix. She had a tongue in her vag.

And her ass!

I think if Vanessa Williams' nude pics had just been standard nudes it wouldn't have caused such an uproar. It was the lesbionic aspect of the photos that got so many uptight people back in the Reagan Era upset. That kind of thing was pretty shocking to conservative types back in those days.

Honestly it’s still shocking seeing pics of Vanessa Williams being rimmed, R129.

Yes both her parents were teachers (one a music teacher) in the Chappaqua NY school system, where I pay an exorbitant amount of property tax for schools I don't have use for.

That's all.

They kicked her out for her nudie pics and her teen abortion yet, then and now, Vanessa Williams has always presented as the epitome of beauty, class and dignity. She always had it.

By dethroning her they gave her a career.

She was pure gold on Ugly Betty.

R131, no, they were both teachers in nearby districts but not Chappaqua. Stanley Tucci’s dad was the art teacher at HGHS.

And about your property taxes, excellent schools keep your home value high so quit your kvetching and enroll in the STAR program if you’re not already.

Did he go west as a young man?

I've had this damn song stuck in my head for days! Very catchy.

She’s gorgeous, but I think she’s a big ‘ol “meh” for her acting and singing talent. She’s one note as an actress, which can work in her favor when playing a bitch. He voice is, sorry, is on par with a B list wedding singer living in Peoria, IL. She just sounds so average back then and now.

Let's not forget that when she was a late add to Desperate Housewives she chipped in equally with the main ladies for the crew-wrapping gift — "from Eva, Marcia, Felicity, and Vanessa."

Teri Hatcher, notably, did not.

I'm sure she was making much less than the OG Housewives but the fact she'd do this speaks to her class and generosity.

She ain’t no Angela Bassist

She didn’t disclose the teen abortion until she wrote her book with her mom who didn’t know until they started writing the book. It took her years to get her career on track after resigning. She was to replace twiggy in “my one and only” but Gershwins widow blocked Mike Nichols from casting her. The secrets of Miss America documentary interviewed a number of black contestants who competed after she did they talked about being mistreated.

Susan Akin who was crowned Miss America two years after Vanessa said she disapproved of interracial relationships, i guess not realizing that Suzette Charles who replaced Vanessa had an Italian father and black mother.

Suzette had a rocky relationship with the organization. She was hesitant to take the title as she was starting to get gigs opening up for George benson and Stevie wonder in Atlantic City. She was told there would be all kinds all appearances for her, but the reality was Vanessa only had about 2 weeks left of actual Miss America appearances. Then got two weeks off then would go back to Atlantic City to rehearse and get ready for the 1984 pageant.

Initially Suzette wanted $100k to take the title but the organization told her no, and said they would make up the difference of the $25k scholarship Vanessa got and a cut of appearances. Suzette won $15k as 1st runner up so it was an additional $10k she got plus some appearance fees. Within a week one Miss America official said they would’ve rather put up with six more weeks of the Vanessa scandal then having to deal with “that bitch”.

Also if Suzette declined they would’ve had to have offered the 3rd runner up from the year before Miss Mississippi the title because the 2nd runner up was about to or had already gotten married.

This thread inspired me to watch this again after many years. Perfection.

Williams is fine. Some of you stans are slathering on the hyperbole generously.

You sound fat R144.

I know YOU are, R145, but what am I?

I wonder if her recording career would’ve taken off quicker if pebbles hadn’t stolen “girlfriend” from her.

[quote]I know YOU are, R145, but what am I?

I'm not 6 years old R146.

I'm rubber, you're glue, R148.