Vanessa Williams, 61, will be missing some performances in the London production of The Devil Wears Prada following the death of her mother, Helen Louise Williams. Vanessa plays Miranda Priestly in the musical adaptation of the film, and will be out from January 8th to January 16th. English actress Debbie Kurup will be stepping in to play the role of Miranda in her absence. Vanessa announced the death of her mother, who passed away at the age of 85 due to complications from acute liver failure. Helen had traveled to London to see Vanessa perform in the show, and Vanessa paid tribute to her as a loyal friend and powerhouse.
The show shared an announcement detailing Vanessa’s absence and the return date, with Vanessa reposting the statement on her Instagram Stories. Despite the loss of her mother, Vanessa is scheduled to return to the production on January 16th. The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel and the 2006 film, with Miranda Priestly being the powerful editor-in-chief of the fictional fashion magazine Runway. Meryl Streep portrayed Miranda in the film, earning critical acclaim for her performance. Vanessa pays tribute to her mother’s remarkable life, sharing reflections on how she encouraged her students to work hard and be confident. Helen was a shopping devotee, lover of travel, and devoted grandmother in addition to being a mother and wife.
Vanessa is currently starring in the production as Miranda Priestly, a character known for her demanding and powerful personality. The play follows aspiring journalist Andy Sachs as she lands a job at Runway magazine, overseen by Miranda. The production had preview performances at Theatre Royal Plymouth before making its West End debut in October. Vanessa was seen in a promotional video for the show, showcasing her performance as Miranda. The actress reflects on her mother’s life as a teacher and college professor before her retirement, sharing that Helen always encouraged her students to aim high and be confident in their abilities.
Vanessa’s mother’s passing has deeply affected her, as she shares details of Helen’s life and personality with fans in her statement. Helen will be remembered at private memorial services, and donations can be made to the Helen Tinch Williams Vocal Performance Fund in her honor. Vanessa, an Emmy and Tony nominee, is a well-known actress who has played notable roles such as Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty. The loss of her mother during the London production of The Devil Wears Prada has led to the temporary absence of Vanessa from the show, with Debbie Kurup stepping in to cover her role as Miranda Priestly. Vanessa’s return to the production is scheduled for January 16th, where she will resume her performance in the musical.
