Vanessa Williams Talks About Finding Love in Her 50's
"Its nice to know love can happen no matter what age," she said.
— -- Vanessa Williams announced in September that she's engaged to her boyfriend Jim Skrip.
Skrip has a past in real estate and accounting, not in Hollywood or show business, and Williams, 51, couldn't be happier that her future husband is not in her line of work.
In fact, she said it's "really comforting and relaxing to be able have a relationship without any added stress or pressure or gossip."
"It allows a certain freedom and comfort to know that its private and can grow on its own," she told ABC News. "It's separate than having the invasion of people commenting and being public."
While Skrip may not be a celebrity, Williams is still an accomplished actress, singer and star on Broadway.
She admits, "Part of any relationship to a celebrity is going to be public is some aspect, but it’s a nice aspect now."
Williams added that her wedding to Skrip will be one that's going to definitely involve her children and close friends.
"It's nice to know love can happen no matter what age and that you should always be open," she said. "You never know when or where it will happen."
The "The Trip to Bountiful" star also just finished a run on Broadway and talked about how she thinks offers have opened up at this stage of her career, being that she's established and she can now play a range of characters.
"When you are in your 20’s, you want to prove to everyone that you can do it," she said. "Then in your 30’s, you are trying to establish your name as a talent. When you hit your 40’s, that’s when you start getting offers, people know who you are, what you can do. Then 50, it’s kind of what's out there and what can I do. I can do anything in terms of playing a grandmother, a career woman, a variety of character things. I don’t have to worry about being typed, I've got way more range now."
Well, playing a grandmother is a bit of a stretch for the always stunning Williams.
"My oldest daughter is 27, so it might happen very shortly for me in the real world!" she countered.
Williams spoke to ABC as part of her collaboration with M&M'S, cutting the ribbon in New York City to welcome back the Crispy brand.
"I've been doing the voice of the brown M&M for two years now, Ms. Brown," she said. "I love the ads and my commercials that run."