Suzette Charles

Suzette Charles (born Suzette DeGaetano on March 2, 1963) is an American singer and entertainer. Born in Mays Landing, New Jersey, she represented New Jersey in the 1984 Miss America pageant held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She won her preliminary talent night and finished first runner-up to Vanessa Lynn Williams, who became the first African-American to wear the crown and title of Miss America. When Williams resigned the title in scandal, Char... more

Suzette Charles (born Suzette DeGaetano on March 2, 1963) is an American singer and entertainer. Born in Mays Landing, New Jersey, she represented New Jersey in the 1984 Miss America pageant held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She won her preliminary talent night and finished first runner-up to Vanessa Lynn Williams, who became the first African-American to wear the crown and title of Miss America. When Williams resigned the title in scandal, Charles fulfilled her duties for the remaining seven weeks, making her the second African-American Miss America. Charles also became the first of Italian descent to serve as Miss America. Charles, who already had many credits in advertising and educational television, has gone on to a career as a singer, entertainer, and television personality. She has acted on the CBS television series Frank's Place and performed on This Morning, a British talk show. She narrated the motion picture, Beyond The Dream, and has appeared on stage with Stevie Wonder,... less