Interview: Vanessa Williams spills the tea on the new drag competition 'Queen Of The Universe'

Today I’m speaking with international pop star and actress Vanessa Williams, who is currently serving as one of the celebrity judges on the new reality talent competition, "Queen of the Universe" streaming on Paramount+, where drag queens from around the world sing LIVE - no lip-syncing here - as they compete not only for the title of Queen of the Universe but a $250,000 cash prize. If anyone has the experience to dish out the appropriate advice, it’s Vanessa Williams. A former Miss America - talk about a true queen! - she's a multi-platinum recording artist whose albums include The Right Stuff, The Comfort Zone, and The Sweetest Days, along with her chart topping number one hit “Save the Best for Last." Vanessa has also conquered Broadway making her debut in the title role of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," scored a Tony Award nomination for her turn as the Witch in the Broadway revival of "Into The Woods," and returned for acclaimed performances in "Sondheim on Sondheim," "After Midnight," and "The Trip To Bountiful." She’s also had great success on television starring as Wilhelmina Slater on the ground-breaking "Ugly Betty" as well as Desperate Housewives and many more TV projects. I recently had the chance to talk with her about "Queen of the Universe," and her work as a founder of Black Theater United, which is working to bring inclusivity to theater communities across the country. Plus, she has starring role coming up in a staged concert of Stephen Sondheim’s "Anyone Can Whistle" at Carnegie Hall. Full disclosure - as longtime listeners are aware, I’ve known Vanessa for years ever since we were music theater majors at Syracuse University. So, up front, you’ll definitely hear our friendship in the chat. You can catch up on the first four episodes of “Queen of the Universe” now, and don’t miss the grand finale streaming on Paramount+ on December 30, 2021.