Vanessa Williams is currently on a hiatus from her role in the London production of “The Devil Wears Prada” following the passing of her mother, Helen Louise Williams. Helen, aged 85, succumbed to complications of acute liver failure on December 28, as per an obituary obtained by PEOPLE on January 2.
The actress, aged 61, who is known for her portrayal of Miranda Priestly in the West End musical adaptation of the popular film, will be taking a short break from her performances, with plans to return on January 16, as announced by the show on Instagram on January 3. During her absence, the role of Miranda Priestly will be played by Debbie Kurup.
Helen Williams, a music teacher by profession, made a special trip overseas to attend the opening night of “The Devil Wears Prada” on December 1. The trip was arranged to coincide with her 85th birthday celebration, where she was surrounded by 150 relatives and friends. Unfortunately, her health took a turn for the worse during her visit, leading to her untimely passing.
Born on December 8, 1939, in Buffalo, New York, Helen was known for her accomplishments as the youngest Black student at the State University of New York at Fredonia at the age of 16. Throughout her career, she served as a music teacher for over 40 years in the Ossining and Manhattanville School Districts, and later as a professor at Manhattanville College before retiring in 1996.
The news of Helen’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes, with Vanessa’s daughter, Sasha Fox, sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram. In her tribute posted on January 2, Vanessa Williams fondly remembered her mother as a “powerhouse, dynamo, and force of nature” who left a lasting impact on everyone she met. Sasha, in her own Instagram post, shared a collection of photos spanning Helen’s life, from her early days to her role as a grandmother.
Helen Williams is survived by her son, Chris, and Vanessa’s three older children – Melanie, Jillian, and Devin – from her first marriage to Ramon Hervey II.
The Williams family has expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support and love during this difficult time. Vanessa Williams, known for her versatile talents on stage and screen, will soon return to her role in “The Devil Wears Prada,” continuing to captivate audiences with her performance as Miranda Priestly.
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