TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews

Related Links Vanessa Williams Bio, News & More 'Ugly Betty' Listings

Nov. 8 -- Few actresses can play a villain as well as Vanessa Williams.

She honed her diva acting chops as Ebony Scrooge in the VH1 original movie 'A Diva's Christmas Carol' a few years back, as a hotel-owning vixen on the short-lived UPN drama 'South Beach' and now as conniving magazine editor Wilhelmina Slater on the hit ABC comedy 'Ugly Betty.'

In an interview with AOL Television editor Geoff Bennett, the multi-talented triple-threat opened up about the stress and sacrifice of being a working mom, why fans should expect to see a kinder, gentler Wilhelmina and why she doesn't mind that her friends don't watch her show.

How did you get involved with 'Ugly Betty'?
The producers wanted to meet with me, but I was out of the country, and they ended up casting someone else. And I got a call the day before they were about to start shooting, saying they wanted to hire me. I looked at the script and ended up on the set the next day for a costume fitting.

What was your first impression when you read the pilot?
I thought it was funny, but I had no idea who the rest of the ensemble would be. It's hard to get excited about anything in this business because so many things don't even come to fruition. You just sort of surrender to it and say, "Hey, if it gets made -- great. If it gets picked up -- fine." (Laughs) So I certainly was happy it got made.

This is another over-the-top, diva role for you. What about those type of characters do you enjoy?
I've obviously done well with them, so I embrace them for sure. And they are a lot more fun to play than the realistic stuff. This is actually my third-in-a-row fashion boss role that I've played. I did a pilot for UPN where I played a fashion editor; it didn't get picked up. I did 'South Beach' for UPN and she was a hotel owner and fashion designer. So I guess the third one's a charm.

What's your secret to longevity?
Well, I think talent has something to do with it. Being professional is a big key. Come prepared, and people want to work with you. We're all in the same boat trying to accomplish the same goal. I think its outlook, too. I enjoy what I do, and I've always wanted to do it. So that goes hand-in-hand.

I know you are doing some light touring and making appearances? Any idea of when you'll start working on another album?
Not yet. You go from month to month not knowing what's going to go on. Right now, I'm temporarily in L.A. and traveling back and forth [to New York.] And once I know a little more about my schedule, it'll be easier to book time in a recording studio and plan out my year.

What kind of reaction to the show have you encountered?
You know, I'm one of those people that have friends who are raising kids. We live in suburban New York, and the night of the premiere, it was my high school daughter's open house. It was from 7 to 9 p.m., and nobody saw the show, and we were all there going from class to class talking about the curriculum. Some of my friends catch it, some don't. I was just at a birthday party this weekend, and someone was like, "Aren't you on some show? I think it's doing well." And I love it. I love having my work and my real life be completely separate.

So as a working woman, how have you found a balance? You're a mother of four and a TV and music star.
Well, there is no balance. So that's the first principle -- it's not going to be balanced when you're working. You're not going to be able to be at home with your kids. Today, I'm home. I'll squeeze in the interviews in the middle of the day, and as soon as I'm finished with these, I'll pick up my daughter from school, and my son has a football game later this afternoon. This is my day off. I love when people say, "How was your time off?" My time off?! My time off is doing what I would normally do as a mother of four. And then when I'm at work, I try to get the kids to the set as much as possible.

Do you ever feel guilty?
You have to make each moment work for you and surrender to the process, as well. You can't be guilt ridden if you choose to live your life in a certain manner. And every time I jump on a plane to head back to work, my kids know that they'll see me as soon as possible. And I'm never gone more than five days a week. Luckily, in my contract, I've got it built it that I've got off Monday or Friday, so at least I have a three-day weekend. That's how it works for now.

Lastly, what can 'Betty' fans expect this season?
We're not really that far ahead. (Laughs) You'll see a little bit of how Wilhelmina deals with being a mother and struggling with trying to do the best that she knows how. And you see a bit of her vulnerable side, although you still have those wonderful Wilhelmina quips that most of my friends die for. (Laughs)