Vanessa Williams is gorgeous from top to bottom. A triple threat entertainer who has owned stages as a singer, Broadway actress and TV star. She revealed to me in a recent interview how she uses both hard work and science to stay stunning and what she’s doing to lift up other women as well. She was even open about what most women hide as their “dirty little secret”.
Fitz: For starters, Vanessa, we all want to know how you stay in such fabulous shape.
Vanessa: I strength train with weights several days a week using trainers in both New York and L.A. I do cardio by myself on the treadmill as well; usually I start out walking gradually increasing the incline for half an hour and then I run for the next 30 minutes. I started doing pilates 22 years ago when most people didn’t even know how to spell pilates. I trained with Mari Windsor as one of her first clients, and I still do that when I can too. I actually have a reformer in my house, but I haven’t really used it cause I need to find someone to train me on it.
Fitz: Is pilates what we can attribute your amazing posture to?
Vanessa: No, that’s dancing, but if I actually get someone to train me pilates-wise … it will definitely get better. I also enjoying doing yoga, kickboxing and Zumba too. If I want a quick sweaty workout at home then I’ll throw in a Zumba salsa tape.
Fitz: Your workouts are really varied!
Vanessa: I found that once I hit my 40’s the treadmill just wasn’t giving me the muscle value that I wanted. Weight to me is not important, but looking toned is vital to not only looking good on television but how I look in my clothes.
Fitz: Have you ever had a weight issue?
Vanessa: Not really but I’ve had four kids, so my weight has certainly gone up and down several times. I’ve nursed all my kids so I’ve even gone up and down several times in terms of bra size and all that stuff too. I’ve danced my whole life so I’ve always been conscious of how I feel and what I need to do to be fit. I don’t even own a scale – that’s too depressing!
Fitz: What motivated you to jump back in to fitness after having each child? Four kids are a lot of work!
Vanessa: It’s just my lifestyle. My parents were always active and therefor I was too. I believe if parents role model couch potato behavior, their kids will turn into couch potatoes. Mine were active and I turned out that way too. We’re products of our environment. Eating healthy foods and being active is never a question. My kids come to the gym with me, they’re always riding their bicycles … it’s just our lifestyle.
Fitz: You are the spokesperson for Botox. How long have you been using it?
Vanessa: I probably started when I turned 40. It was then that I decided I would try to maintain my looks, cause it’s nowhere but down from there (she laughs). I wasn’t working at that time and I wasn’t pressured by anyone to do so. I was just curious and wanted to maintain my looks. So I started doing it at 40 and then on “Ugly Betty” my character Wilhelmina Slater started getting Botox injections by her assistant in her office which is basically pure comedy. That’s when the press started asking whether I’d used it. I just decided to be honest about it. I’m always surprised by people’s unwillingness to be honest about these things though.
Fitz: It seems like this is the new “dirty little secret”. What’s your advice for those secretly using Botox, to help them get passed their embarrassment?
Vanessa: I think that when people go to the wrong people for cosmetic procedures, they fear it and are embarrassed by it. I think what we’re doing with the Express Success campaign is telling people how to make a decision about using Botox and answer all of their questions, so they can choose a qualified doctor and make an appropriate choice for themselves. When it’s done properly, there shouldn’t be any reason to be embarrassed.
Fitz: As a mother, what age do you think is too young to use Botox.
Vanessa: Well, it’s for preventing lines. So if you’re in your 20’s, unless you’ve had a tremendously hard life, there’s no reason you should be using it at a young age. I’m a woman of a certain age, 46, and for me it’s just about maintenance. It’s not going to change your imperfections or improve your self-esteem. It’s just going to help you maintain what you look like and relax a furrowed brow. If you try it and don’t like it, it will wear off and leave your system.
Fitz: With this campaign you’re supporting Dress for Success. Are there any lucky women out there receiving some designer duds from your fabulous wardrobe?
Vanessa: There sure are! I’ve worked with this cause for many years so their partnership with Botox was perfect for me. I donate about every two years. I clear things out after seasons, changes in my size and changes in fashion as I age.
Fitz: Have any advice for choosing fabulous office fashions?
Vanessa: I recommend choosing clothes that are comfortable, make you feel strong and allow you to express yourself.
Fitz: Off the subject. I have questions readers submitted to me to ask you. How long did it take you to learn Miley Cyrus’s “Hoedown Throwdown” dance while filming Hannah Montana: The Movie?
Vanessa: It took me about a day to learn it; the actors were all given the instructional DVD in our trailers. We had it memorized, because we never knew what day we’d be called upon to do it. We ended up shooting mine on Rodeo Drive which was a hoot, and I got to do it with Jamaal the choreographer so that’s why ours looked great. If I brushed up I could still do it, but my daughter does it constantly so I’m sure she could give me an instant tutorial!
Fitz: What do you wear on a day when you’re feeling bloated, icky or simply un-fabulous?
Vanessa: A shirt that doesn’t have a waist for sure! There are tons of options now with lots of things that are slouchy or fall away at the waist. A great bulky sweater with some style is great, and some jeans with a little more room are a good choice too.
Fitz: Our reader Marti thinks your widow’s peak always looks fabulous and she could use some advice for styling hers. Have any?
Vanessa: How nice! I usually part it to the side which allows the widow’s peak to show, but also doesn’t bring a ton of attention to it. However, when wearing your hair straight back, it can be very stunning!
Fitz: Last question. Your character, Wilhelmina is pretty vicious. What advice do you have for women dealing with jealousy and competition in the workplace.
Vanessa: That’s when a strong self-esteem comes in handy. The easiest way to deflect negativity is to set boundaries and create an invisible force field around you. When others are nasty, I always wonder what could be so wrong with their life to make them so miserable. Why do they have to bring others down to feel better? If you can detach yourself from that situation and feel compassion instead of offense, you’ll be a lot less likely to get involved in their drama.
For more info: Learn more about Vanessa’s work with Botox, Express Success and Dress for Success here at BotoxCosmetic.com.
