logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2021
1h 22m

Vanessa Williams Part 1: Becoming Miss A...

Sarah Marshall
About this episode

Mike tells Sarah how a 20-year-old singer, actress and French horn player became Miss America with less than six months of practice. Digressions include Ted Bundy, Stephen King’s “It” and a bonus debunking of the "bra-burning feminist" trope. We're sorry to say that this episode includes a description of child sexual abuse. 


Support us:
Subscribe on Patreon
Donate on Paypal
Buy cute merch

Where else to find us:
Sarah's other show, Why Are Dads
Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase

Clips! 

Links!

Support the show (http://patreon.com/yourewrongabout)
Up next
Sep 30
The Auralyn with Blair Braverman
Are you a survival pessimist or a survival optimist? Blair Braverman surprises Sarah with a harrowing, heartening, and sometimes hilarious tale of love and endurance in the face of certain death, but you’ll have to listen to find out the seemingly impossible circumstances our sub ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 16
Samantha Smith vs. the Cold War with Maris Kreizman
Who really ended the Cold War, Ronald Reagan or a ten-year-old girl? Eighties correspondent Maris Kreizman joins us for a heartfelt conversation about America’s Youngest Ambassador, Samantha Smith, a child who wrote a letter to Soviet General Secretary Yuri Andropov in hopes of c ... Show More
1h 18m
Aug 19
The Insanity Defense with Mackenzie Joy Brennan
What do John Hinckley Jr. and a jazz age tuberculosis patient have in common? Legal correspondent ​​Mackenzie Joy Brennan takes Sarah through some of the strange cases that helped make—and break—the insanity defense in America. Our story includes a woman who carried her (alleged) ... Show More
1h 20m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Vanessa Williams: From Miss America to Miranda Priestly
There is bouncing back after adversity, and then there is: Vanessa Williams. The talented multi-hyphenate was only 21 years old when she became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America. Yet a controversy surrounding the release of unauthorized nude photos led to her ultim ... Show More
38m 16s
Apr 2023
Mischief Makers: Cécile Fatiman
Cécile Fatiman (1771-1883) facilitated a special ceremony that ignited the Haitian Revolution. This month, we’re talking about Mischief Makers:  oddballs, chameleons, and nonconformists. Queens of quick wit. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When w ... Show More
4m 44s
Jan 2023
Rebels: Corazon Aquino
Corazon Aquino (1933-2009) rose above her fears to become the first female president of the Philippines. She led the country to democracy in a way that set a precedent for other countries around the world.You’re probably familiar with rebels without a cause, but what about rebels ... Show More
7m 35s
Mar 2020
159: Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston and Hollywood’s Misogynoir Problem (Make Me Over, Episode 8)
In 1983, Vanessa Williams became the first black woman to win Miss America. In 1984, a few weeks from the end of her reign, she was forced to step down when she found out Penthouse was going to publish unauthorized nude images of her in their magazine. Williams went on to have a ... Show More
41m 35s
Apr 2024
Disappearing Acts: Marsha "Mudd" Ferber
Marsha “Mudd” Ferber (1941-unknown) was a hippie, a back-to-the-lander, a revolutionary, and an outlaw. She was also the owner of The Underground Railroad, an alternative music haven in Morgantown, West Virginia that hosted the likes of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Grateful ... Show More
5m 49s
Mar 2022
Smize Cream (feat. Tre'vell Anderson)
In 2003, reality television — and the world — changed forever when model, actress and now-mogul Tyra Banks launched America's Next Top Model (ANTM). This week, Fran & Rose are joined by journalist, social curator & ANTM devotee Tre'vell Anderson to discuss everything ANTM: the go ... Show More
1h 20m
May 2023
Ragers: Letícia Parente
Letícia Parente (1930-1991) channeled her anger and political criticism into art – as an act of will, pushing against an oppressive world. This month, we’re highlighting Ragers: women who used their anger— often righteous, though not always— to accomplish extraordinary things. Hi ... Show More
5m 21s
Jun 2022
Pride on Stage: Cheryl Dunye
Cheryl Dunye (1966-present) was the first Black lesbian to direct a feature film. The movie, called The Watermelon Woman, established her as a leading voice in the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1990’s.Special thanks to our exclusive Pride Month sponsor, Mercedes-Benz! Mercedes ... Show More
6m 42s
Jun 2022
Pride on Stage: Suzanne Jeanne Baulé (Frede)
Suzanne Jeanne Baulé (Frede) (1914-1976) created a space for others to dance, perform, and be free. She was an androgynous queen of nightlife during one of the most liberated and frightening times in French history.Special thanks to our exclusive Pride Month sponsor, Mercedes-Ben ... Show More
5m 34s