. >> reporter: her fellow housewives say, in real life, she's quite the opposite, the anti-diva. hings you might not know about vanessa williams. before tv, she was a star on broadway and had a bunch of number one singles like "saved the best for last." ♪ you go and save the best for last ♪ >> reporter: and if you're younger than 28, you weren't even alive when vanessa williams made history as the first black miss america. >> our new miss america, is vanessa williams! >> reporter: it was a milestone, but the racist backlash required sharpshooters to protect her at some of her events. how many death threats did you get? >> well, my mom had a red box at home. of course she wouldn't discuss them with me, because she didn't want me to be freaked out for an entire year. while i did my appearances. >> reporter: then it all came crashing down, as racy photos of her surfaced in a penthouse magazine spread. williams gave up her crown. now, with kids in college and a career she's happy with, williams has written a surprising memoir with her mother. it's called "you have no idea." and both s