Even before Vanessa Williams was well-known for singing and acting, the 1984 Miss America made headlines for resigning her crown as Miss America after her nude Penthouse photos surfaced.  But she's now back on the same pageant stage, this time as judge to the beauty contest.

Williams' Penthouse photos were taken 10 months before she even competed for Miss America, but the photos were published in the magazine causing a huge controversy. Soon, she relinquished her crown to the next in line Suzette Charles.

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Since then, the issue died down. Williams moved on to begin a recording career and then made film and TV appearances, even winning an Emmy.

But the issue was once again thrust to the spotlight Sunday after Miss America CEO himself publicly apologized to Williams for whatever the scandal caused her.

In a report by People, Miss America Executive Chairman and CEO Sam Haskell said, "We are thrilled to welcome her 'home' as our head judge as she helps select the 95th Anniversary Miss America."

On stage at the pageant, Haskell expressed a heartfelt apology, "You have lived your life in grace and dignity and never was it more evident than during the events of 1984 when you resigned. I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less the Miss America you are..."

To this gesture, Williams responded, "Thank you Sam, so unexpected but so beautiful."

Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell emerged this year's Miss America. Other finalists were: 1^st runner-up Miss Mississippi, 2^nd runner-up Miss Colorado, 3^rd runner-up Miss Miss Louisiana, and 4^th runner-up Miss Alabama.

Last year's winner Kira Kazantsev has also had her share of hardships as Miss America. She told Hollywood Life in an interview, "We definitely face a lot of social media scrutiny. And it can be really hard, so you kind of just have to let it roll off your shoulder and not think twice about it."

Tagsvanessa williams, Miss America