Suzette Charles, now 63, is finally releasing her self-titled debut album 33 years later than planned. Crowned the first biracial Miss America in 1984, she faced a distressing tour with Bill Cosby, mistreatment by record labels, and a shelved album when her songwriters Stock Aitken Waterman split up. A decades-long marriage seemingly ended her career, but she reunited with Mike Stock to finish the project.
A Troubled Path to Stardom
Charles, a performing arts school kid from Philadelphia, appeared in commercials for Colgate and Coca-Cola, and on Sesame Street. At 15, she sang on the Hair soundtrack and narrowly missed the role of Coco Hernandez in Fame. Her mother encouraged her to compete in Miss America 1984, where she came first runner-up to Vanessa Williams.
The Miss America Controversy
Ten months later, Williams resigned after Penthouse published nude photos. Charles was crowned winner, calling it a bittersweet acceptance. She believes the pageant is a relic and should end.
Encounters with Legends and Cosby
After winning, Charles sang in a cabaret show supporting Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, and Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder once called her late at night to sing I Just Called to Say I Love You; she told him it was too simplistic. Bill Cosby invited her to tour as a supporting act. Her father warned Cosby, and she kept her distance. Cosby embarrassed her on stage, and her role on The Cosby Show was rescinded. Charles later found Cosby's abuse shocking.
Struggles with Record Labels
In the late 80s, Charles tried to become a recording artist but felt pigeonholed. Capitol wanted techno music, RCA wanted R&B, ignoring her pop desires. In 1993, she flew to London and approached Stock Aitken Waterman unannounced. Mike Stock tested her voice and wrote six songs. Free to Love Again reached No. 58 in the UK, but RCA dropped her and SAW split, leaving her in limbo.
A Life Interrupted
Charles then recorded an album with David Foster, which remains unreleased. She married a doctor who discouraged her career. She raised two children, dreaming of what could have been. After her daughter left for college, she divorced and started living for herself. A first date encouraged her to contact Stock again.
The Comeback
Stock replied, and in 2015 they reunited at his studio. In 2024, they rerecorded old tracks alongside five new compositions about being held back. The album is a collection of disco-pop bangers and ballads. Charles married Kaplan, who supports her. She now understands the meaning of Sammy Davis Jr's song I've Gotta Be Me. Her debut album is released on 22 May.
