The difference being that the pageant organization at the time did not "fire" Vanessa Williams. She, upon the advice of her manager/attorney and family recognized that remaining in the role of Miss America would do harm to the title and organization. I'm sure there must have been pressure from the organization but she herself stated that she chose to give up her title. Sofia on the other hand choose to behave as if the choices she made in her life do not have consequences and impact on her current situation.
In addition, it took quite a while for Vanessa Williams to "rehab" her reputation, even with successful album sales and work in the industry she faced years of criticism and prejudice...and she actually had TALENT!
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Actually she is a perfect example to compare to Sofia. Both made regrettable choices at a very young age to pose nude for a photographer. Vanessa, who was at least 18 at the time of the photo shoot, claims that she never signed a waiver for their publication (facts which were verified when Hugh Hefner was initially offered them and declined because "...they clearly weren't authorized...") and never intended for them to appear in Penthouse. Sofia, who was 15 or 16 on at least some of the topless photo shoots, knew that these would be at least published in a portfolio and has stated that she wanted a modeling career.
Vanessa was in college at the time of her photo shoot studying music performance. She went on to win the Miss America crown and - prior to the photos being published - received hate mail and death threats...purely because she was African-American. Even though she resigned her title and did not complete her duties, the pageant organization still officially recognizes her and she remains popular and iconic in the pageant world.
Four years after her photos were published and relinquishing her title, Williams released her first album. Three years later her second album went to #1, and while continuing her recording career she expanded her acting career in feature films and now on television.
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Sofia, who ironically was born the same year Williams' photos were published, dropped out of high school. Approximately four or five years after her first topless photo shoot, Sofia posed for the now famous boa constrictor photos and became Miss Slitz 2004. The following year she appeared in the reality program Paradise Hotel and then moved to New York to live with a married man and studied to become a yoga teacher. She "tweeted" about making out with porn star Jenna Jameson during a visit to Las Vegas. She used that same method of communication when she later met and began a relationship with CP when she tweeted "I'm dating the prince!" Since June of last year she has been living with him.
It is difficult to compare the two women because even at a casual glance Vanessa is MUCH more talented and accomplished. Even when comparing their cv's at the same age, Sofia falls far short. IMO Sofia is not ugly but her makeup and styling choices until recently have been rather trashy. And now, because to keep her position secure she has tried to alter her image to appear respectable. There is nothing wrong with that other than the fact that is artificial. What was wrong with being respectable before? Her lack of education notwithstanding, Sofia does not appear to be an idiot. Why then choose of path to fame by posing semi-nude? Maybe because she didn't have anything else to offer? While Vanessa may have been dishonest on her pageant application and made the unfortunate choice of posing in the first place, she has consistently - even from a very young age - presented herself in a very elegant manner, and subsequently in her life with a great deal of dignity.
Even so, it is now almost 30 years since Vanessa's "scandal" broke. And while it isn't mentioned in every television interview or live appearance - the photos, and the consequences of her choices are mentioned in almost every written article about her. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't get through an entire year of her life without someone mentioning it or asking her about it.
So if a former Miss America who is generally viewed as beautiful, talented, intelligent, elegant, good mother, etc. has the information about her "disgrace" regularly mentioned in reference to her almost 30 years later - then what can be expected in 30 years for Sofia if she maintains her relationship with CP? Even the discussion of Sofia's work with charity has hints of scandal both for her motives (only doing it to be seen as "acceptable") and her actions (having charitable donations deposited into her personal bank account). Based on results so far, she only seems to be changing superficial things without doing anything to truly better herself as a person. She appears to only do things to meet her originally stated aspiration of being "famous". It's like putting a fresh coat of paint on a house and not dealing with plumbing leaks and cracked walls on the inside.
An internet search brings up Sofia's nude and semi-nude images from the last ten years. If things stay as they are, 30 years from now they will be readily available, just as Vanessa's photos from 30 years ago are.
