Vanessa Williams is an absolute powerhouse. She’s a Grammy-nominated recording artist, an award-winning actor and a global cultural icon, known for roles in Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and currently starring as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada on the West End.

At just 20 years old, Vanessa became the first Black woman to win the Miss America crown. It was a historic moment that changed her life overnight. But making history came at a cost: she faced de*th threats, FBI protection and a level of public scrutiny few could imagine.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Vanessa broke barriers as the first Black woman to win Miss America
• Navigating de*th threats and hate after her win
• Singing live at the Super Bowl and the Oscars
• Aging on camera and her thoughts on cosmetic surgery
• What Vanessa's mum told Elton John when they met

This is a conversation about strength, resilience and refusing to be defined by other people.

Vanessa Williams is Great Company.

If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:

Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast

TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

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THE CREDITS

Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke & Rema Mukena

Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins

Video: Jake Ji & Josh Bennett

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief is something we’ll all experience at some point in our lives and that can feel quite daunting. But my conversation on Great Company with the incredible singer-songwriter Cat Burns completely changed the way I think about it.

In this Great Moment, Cat opens up about losing her dad and the impact that grief had on her. She reflects on how it reshaped the way she connects others, and why people who experience loss are often some of the most loving people you’ll ever meet.

Listen to the full episode HERE!

If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:

Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast

TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

THE CREDITS

Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke

Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins

Video: Jake Ji

Social Media: Laura Coughlan

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MIKA’s music is full of colour. It’s bold, joyful and instantly recognisable. It’s the kind of music that lifts you up and meeting MIKA, that same energy radiates through.

He’s lived a fascinating life, shaped by bright moments and darker ones too. In this conversation, we talk about the years before his success, the awkwardness of putting yourself out there and how, at his treasured white piano, he found a place of freedom where creativity led, identity didn’t need explaining and he could be himself.

We cover:

- Fleeing Beirut with his family after civil war broke out

- The teacher who tormented him and why he was forced to leave school

- How music became a warm ‘hug’ when everything else fell apart

- Turning up at Warner Music aged 12 with his demo tracks

- Celebrating his sexuality through his music

- Why embarrassment can be a force of good

MIKA’s story is a reminder that the things that make us different are often the very things that save us.

MIKA is Great Company.

If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us:

Instagram- @greatcompanypodcast

TikTok - @greatcompanypodcast

And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk

THE CREDITS

Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke

Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins

Video: Jake Ji & Ryley Kirby

Social Media: Laura Coughlan & Anthony Barter

Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.