Williams is serving as Head Judge for the "2016 Miss America Competition." She joins host Chris Harrison, co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet, music curator Nick Jonas and celebrity judges Brett Eldredge, Taya Kyle, Danica McKellar, Kevin O'Leary, Amy Purdy and Zendaya.

The "Miss America Competition" airs live from Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall Sept. 13 beginning at 9 PM ET on ABC-TV. Fifty-two women compete for the coveted crown and scholarship.

"Vanessa Williams made history by becoming the first African American to win the competition when she was crowned Miss America 1984, and she went on to conquer the worlds of music, Broadway, television, and film," said Sam Haskell, executive chairman and CEO of the Miss America Organization, in an earlier statement. "It is a great honor to welcome her back to the competition as our Head Judge."

Williams' reign as Miss America was cut short when unauthorized nude photos of her were published. She would go on to record the "Pocahontas" anthem "Colors of the Wind," which won Golden Globe, Grammy and Academy Awards for Best Original Song. The four-time Emmy nominee has also been a Broadway regular. Williams was Tony-nominated for her work in the revival of Into the Woods. She was last on Broadway in 2013's After Midnight.