Vanessa L. Williams, 44

A-List Achievements: Was the first African-American woman to win the 1984 Miss America Pageant. Even after nude pictures of her appeared in Penthouse and she was forced to resign her crown, a tiara-free Vanessa bounced back almost immediately with a successful entertainment career. Currently starring in one of the biggest hits on television. Has sold 4 million albums worldwide and multiple Grammy nominations. Mother of four children.

Originally the Wife Of: Rick Fox (and previously Ramon Hervey from 1987-1997)

Sealed the Deal: 1999

Do-Over Began: 2005

Better Than Ever: We have two words for you: Wilhelmina Slater. Could there be a more delicious—or stylishly-dressed—villainess on television today than Vanessa's "Ugly Betty" character? For her high-heeled high jinks on UB, she nabbed an NAACP Image Award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Star Wattage
This former pageant queen may have fallen from grace once, but she has been on a meteoric rise ever since. Betty, her boss, Daniel Meade, and the entire Mode Magazine staff aren't the only people who should get out of this savvy career woman's way as she continues ascending the "corporate" ladder.