Beauty²
Vanessa Williams Loves Her Maseratis

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- The $2.2 Million Maserati - Maserati Treasures! - Beauty²

While Wilhelmina Slater, the character portrayed by Vanessa Williams on the Emmy award-winning sitcom Ugly Betty sitcom, may indeed be a villainous vixen, the actress herself is anything but… The beautiful, cultured and very fun singer-turned-actress is a mother of four with strong family values, high ethics and a penchant for powerful cars.  With a twinkle in her eye and a comfortable demeanor, the darkest side that one could ever find in Vanessa might just be in her choice of colors – Maserati blue, blue, blue!

Currently the owner of two blue Maseratis, Vanessa has been a bi-coastal driver, keeping one at each of her homes on either coast and most recently added the new Blu Oceano 2008 GranTurismo to her collection of favorite things.  She'll soon be parking it together with her 2003 Maserati Coupe when she transports it back to her NY home this summer.

We recently had an opportunity to catch up with Vanessa in between takes on the set of Ugly Betty in California.

You've been a Maserati owner for some time now, what most interests you in the brand?
There is an undeniable elegance in the design of the Maserati GranTurismo that makes this car a guaranteed head turner. The combination of the curves plus the powerful sound of the engine makes it truly unique. As a woman, it shows you can handle ferocity but also be graceful & understatedly sleek.

How are you enjoying your new GranTurismo?  How does it differ from the coupe you still own?
I received the CambioCorsa for my 40th birthday present & have been in love with Maserati ever since.  Now, I'm the owner of two gorgeous vehicles.  Comparing the GranTurismo to the Coupe, the ride has become smoother, the interior is roomier and paddle-shifting is a breeze.

Would you have described yourself as a car enthusiast prior to owning your first Maserati?  What other cars have you owned? 
I have always been a car enthusiastic –that’s something I got from my father and definitely see passed on in my Ferrari-obsessed son. My father loved European cars and growing up we had a Rambler, Audi, Fiat and Lancia along with the standard Econoline Ford van.  I first learned how to drive a stick on our red Fiat 128 that my dad painted silver with a racing stripe in our own garage. Then I moved onto our Audi 100LS and finally, the yellow Lancia Beta Coupe, which was my sporty ride while I was in high school.   I loved tooting the unmistakable air horn.

As an adult, my first car was a Honda Prelude, then a couple of Saabs – the 900 and 9000 - and five Range Rovers to date.  I got a Mercedes 430 convertible as a Mother's Day gift in 2000 and my first Maserati Cambiocorsa in 2003 for my 40th birthday.

Currently I own a Porsche Cayenne, Infiniti QX56 and am in love with my new Blu Oceano GranTurismo with Cuoio interior. 

What do your friends and family think of your newest Maserati?
My friends absolutely love my new GranTurismo. They comment on its lines, powerful presence & color combination. When you start the engine, that “hum” makes heads turn!

How does the car make you feel?  What does it say about you? 
Maserati in general is a wonderful combination of understated power & elegance under that regal Trident logo. It’s an extension of my personality, which is perceived as graceful and refined on the outside but underneath there’s a speedy engine that's carefree and willing to take risks.

What five words would describe your car?
My Maserati GranTurismo is:
Elegant
Powerful
Sleek
Luxurious
Frisky

Where do you look forward to taking it?
I loved driving up the coast along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) in Malibu on a beautiful sunny day. But soon I’m going to ship my new GranTurismo to Westchester NY where I'll be able to enjoy the twists & turns of the country roads in the fall - along with opening it up on the highways!

Knowing you've been to Modena before, apart from being the home of Maserati, what do you recall about the town and might tell others of interest about Modena...
The last time I visited Modena, I had the great opportunity to perform with Pavarotti in 1998 at his "Friends" concert. The town was charming, the audience was warm & the food delicious. Of course, I brought home some signature balsamic vinegar from the town.

Adding to the fond memories of Modena which Vanessa already holds, will soon be a tour of the Maserati factory and Panini museum, when she returns to Italy later this year to expand on her driving skills through the Maserati Master GT driving school.  After all, once a Maserati-ista, always a Maserati-ista -- and she'll be the first to tell you, Maserati risveglia la sua anima! -- the pleasure of driving her Maserati awakens her soul.