• 2 months ago
Stage and screen icon Vanessa Williams took time away from starring in The Devil Wears Prada on the West End to attend the Pride of Britain Awards 2024 in London. She reflected on her summer spent in Plymouth, Devon and why she confused some of her American fans with her “Hoe” videos. Report by Burtonj. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Transcript
00:00Thank you so much for your time.
00:01No problem.
00:02I'd say welcome to London,
00:03but I understand it's your home for a while, right?
00:07I am here for a long time doing Devil Wears Prada.
00:11I was in Plymouth all summer
00:13doing Devil Wears Prada down there.
00:15And I think I've worked here the last four years.
00:19I did City of Angels,
00:20and unfortunately we were at the Garrick
00:22and got closed down because of the whole world,
00:25because of COVID.
00:26And then I was here right after that
00:28doing two seasons of Queen of the Universe.
00:31That was on Paramount+.
00:33So I've made it a point to be here every year
00:36for the past four years.
00:37It's very rare that I get to ask
00:39an American's view on Plymouth.
00:40How did you find your experience living there?
00:43Let's see.
00:44The audiences were enthusiastic.
00:47Many did not even know the source material,
00:49which was interesting.
00:51I lived up on the Ho,
00:53and I did a whole series of Ho videos
00:57because back in the States,
00:58the Ho has a bit different meaning.
01:00So that was hilarious.
01:02And I had spent some wonderful time in Devon
01:06in the countryside, which was brilliant.
01:08That's wonderful.
01:09And we're here tonight at the Pride of Britain Awards.
01:11Do you know what to expect?
01:12Do you know what you're letting yourself in for
01:13in terms of a teary evening?
01:15That's what everyone says.
01:16Get ready to bring your tissues.
01:18I don't have waterproof mascara,
01:21but hopefully my eye makeup will not run.
01:24But it's always amazing to honor hometown heroes
01:28and people that have made a difference in everyone's life,
01:30but particularly in someone else's life.
01:33So I'm curious to see all the stories.
01:35There's a lot of inspiring stories
01:37from the UK public shared this evening.
01:39Who's inspired you in 2024?
01:42Who's inspired me?
01:44I am lucky enough to have been a part of
01:50Black Theatre United,
01:51which is a nonprofit that talks about diversity
01:55in the theater industry back in the States.
01:58And the honor of being a mentor is wonderful.
02:00And I've mentored five people, young students.
02:05To see them learn and apply that knowledge
02:08and grow is always heartfelt and an inspiration to me.
02:14So I would say hats off to all my mentees
02:16who are growing and showing that they're listening
02:19and applying everything that I've taught them.
02:21That's so wonderful.
02:22Thank you so much for your time and enjoy tonight as well.

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