Vanessa Williams makes her return to the highlight as she attends the BAFTAs following tragic demise of her ‘outstanding’ mom

Vanessa Williams made her return to the spotlight at the 2025 BAFTAs on Sunday, following the tragic death of her mother last month.

The American actress, 61, who is currently performing in The Devil Wears Prada The Musical in the West End, looked sensational as she graced the red carpet.

Vanessa caught the eye in a dramatic green gown which boasted a semi sheer ruffled top and fishtail skirt, which hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping curves.

She accessorised with chandelier earrings and a dazzling cocktail ring while stylish her caramel tresses into a chic updo.

Last month Vanessa announced her ‘remarkable’ mother  died December 28 aged 85 at The London Clinic due to complications from ‘acute liver failure.’ 

She had flown to the UK to see Vanessa on stage in a musical adaptation of the film The Devil Wears Prada and celebrate her 85th birthday. 

Vanessa Williams, 61, made her return to the spotlight at the 2025 BAFTAs on Sunday, following the tragic death of her mother last month.

Last month Vanessa announced her ‘remarkable’ mother died December 28 aged 85 at The London Clinic due to complications from ‘acute liver failure’ (pictured together in 2022)

Vanessa shared a statement to Instagram as she paid tribute to the ‘loyal friend and powerhouse.’

She wrote: ‘On December 28th, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature packed into a 5ft frame.

‘Our mom, Helen Williams, aka Gaga to many, took her final bow in London 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday surrounded by family and friends.’ 

Vanessa added: ‘It’s impossible to describe all she meant to everyone because each person saw a different facet of her. Loyal friend to many, icy stares to a chosen few.

‘We will miss it all. During her visit [to London] she suffered a major decline in health which ended her life.’ 

The actress went on to add ‘some reflections’ on Helen’s ‘remarkable life’ after working as a teacher and college professor before retiring in 1996.

The statement revealed Helen would tell her students: ‘Work the best you can and don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something – ever! Make up your mind, prepare yourself, study hard, and be very, very confident.’

It added that she was a ‘shopping devotee’, loved travel and was a devoted grandmother.

Vanessa caught the eye in a dramatic green gown which boasted a semi sheer ruffled top and fishtail skirt, which hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping curves

She accessorised with chandelier earrings and a dazzling cocktail ring while stylish her caramel tresses into a chic updo

Vanessa (R) was supported on the red carpet by her fashion designer pal Pamella Roland (L)

The EE BAFTA 2025 Awards returns for an unmissable night of entertainment, celebrating the year’s best films and the creative talent who bring them to life. 

After six years of being held at the Royal Albert Hall, the star-studded ceremony moved to a new home in 2023 – the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall – where it will once again take place.

The EE BAFTA Film Awards encompass 25 competitive categories which are decided by BAFTA members. 

The show will feature some exciting new updates including a new Children’s & Family Film category which will celebrate the very best films appealing to inter-generational audiences.

The new category is the first to be featured in five years marking the first new EE BAFTA Film Award in five years.

Another new feature will see an updated voting process has been introduced to the Outstanding British Film category. 

Thriller Conclave takes the record for 12 nominations across all categories while Emilia Perez received 11 and The Brutalist had nine. 

Back on home soil, Conclave has been nominated for twice as many gongs at the BAFTAs than it was last month at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles.

The hit thriller starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini is about a secretive and high-stakes election of a new Pope, where power, ambition, and personal secrets collide among the warring cardinals. 

Ralph Fiennes has beaten box-office juggernauts Gladiator 2 and Wicked to win 12 BAFTA nominations including best actor and best film for his movie Conclave

Emilia Perez, starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez in its female-led ensemble cast, is making significant headway this awards season 

It has beaten the Golden Globes’ big winner, the Spanish drama Emilia Perez, which has come in second in the number of nominations with 11 BAFTA nods after sweeping up 10 gongs in the US award ceremony.

Gladiator 2 has yet again been snubbed by Award judges after it was shunned for Best Film and its leading man, the Irish star Paul Mescal, 28, failed to make the BAFTA longlist for Best Actor.

Demi Moore, 62, who picked up her first acting accolade ever at the Globes for her role in Substance has been nominated for Leading Actress along with Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo, 38, and Saoirse Ronan, 30, for the Outrun.

Film industry insiders believe the Ghost star’s admission into the BAFTA shortlist will raise her hopes of securing her first Oscar. 

Elsewhere in the BAFTA nominations, the Succession brothers, Jeremy Strong and Keiran Culkin will battle it out for Supporting Actor for their performances in A Real Pain and the Trump biopic, The Apprentice. 

Meanwhile, Adrien Brody’s film The Brutalist has received nine BAFTA nominations, followed by Dune 2 and Wicked – both getting seven nominations.

Marisa Abela leads the nominees for the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award for her portrayal as Amy Winehouse in the 2024 film Back To Black.