Television host, correspondent, actress, author -- and former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model -- Roshumba Williams lends her expertise as a judge for NBC’s new unscripted series “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search.”
Williams’ professional career began in 1987 when she left her family home in Peoria, Illinois for Paris to pursue modeling with the hope of becoming one of the world’s top models. After two days of pounding the pavement, she was able secure an agent who immediately put her on the runway in designer Yves St. Laurent haute couture fashion show.
This exposure led to high profile assignments with high-end clients such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Versace, Armani, Cover Girl, Maybelline and Samsung. Williams also drew attention from magazine editors, landing her on the covers and pages of Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Essence and Cosmopolitan. However, it was her appearances as the first featured African-American Model in four consecutive issues of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue that helped her become a household name.
Deciding to move to the other side of the camera, Williams began hosting the cable program “The Wire.” She went on to also host such series and specials as “The Making of a Supermodel,” and appeared on as on-air personality for VH1, Fox Style News, HGTV and as a correspondent and anchor for “Entertainment Tonight.”
Theatrically, Williams’ feature films include Woody Allen’s “Celebrity,” Robert Altman’s “Pret-a-Porter” and the upcoming film “Beauty Shop.” On the small screen, she has made guest appearances in such series as “Mortal Kombat,” “Ally McBeal” and “Fastlane.” Williams also serves as host of the syndicated series “Live Like A Star.”
Williams is also a published author with her, “The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Model,” which offers poignant advice to young women about breaking into the modeling and fashion business. It continues to be a bestseller in its category.
Currently Williams lends her time to a number of charities such as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the United Negro College Fund and the Revlon Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives.