EMMY(R) AND GOLDEN GLOBE(R) NOMINEE VANESSA WILLIAMS JOINS THE CAST OF ABC'S "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES"

This fall, a wicked new housewife arrives to Fairview when the multi-talented Vanessa Williams joins the Season Seven cast of ABC's "Desperate Housewives." Fresh off her stint on Broadway's "Sondheim on Sondheim" and the critically-acclaimed series "Ugly Betty," Williams will play a housewife who's sure to shake things up in the neighborhood and wreak havoc in the lives of the women of Wisteria Lane.

Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in entertainment today. She has conquered the musical charts, Broadway, music videos, television and motion pictures. She has sold millions of albums worldwide and has achieved critical acclaim as an actress on stage, in film and on television. Recently she co-starred in Disney's feature film "Hannah Montana: The Movie," and her latest album from Concord Records, "The Real Thing," is available now. Currently she can be seen in Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's "Sondheim on Sondheim," a new original Broadway musical at the Roundabout Theater running through the end of June and for which she has received a Drama League nomination.

Williams recently starred in ABC's critically-acclaimed hit series, "Ugly Betty," for which she has won or been nominated for numerous individual and ensemble awards, including the Emmy, SAG Award, Golden Globe and NAACP Image Awards.

"Desperate Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Joshua Logan Moore as Parker Scavo, Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo, Madison de la Garza as Juanita and Mason Vale Cotton as MJ Delfino.

"Desperate Housewives" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

For more information "Desperate Housewives," visit ABC.com.