Vesta Williams: The Untold Story Of Her Final Days

[@Halo_1128]

They said the exact same thing about Phyllis Hyman.Overweight,drug use and outspoken.Vesta was a beautiful woman who knew her singing worth.She had an AMAZING voice 🙏🏾💔

[@kathyscott9555]

Hollywood destroys good people

[@scorpionoir4952]

I was thinking the same thing. I always felt that there was something eerily similar to her and Phyllis. Both beautiful women with dynamic voices but dealing with some things like substance abuse, love life issues, and weight fluctuation. Often called difficult for wanting to have more control over their careers.

[@bostonteaparty3926]

Except - Phyllis actually did actually commit suicide. Depression is a nasty disease.

[@youdontsay1113]

Sometimes being outspoken isn't a good thing😮😮😮

[@cecenicolevnuzb7388]

​@@bostonteaparty3926it was so sad to hear when I was watching the TV documentaries made I just cried REST IN PARADISE QUEENS PHYLLIS AND VESTA 🙏🏾🙏🏾👑👑❤️❤️💫💫💖💖

[@brownbagz]

Babbyyy, she was like Luther....we loved her big and small!!! ❤❤❤

[@Melanie-xw9xg]

Absolutely yes indeed. I❤ me some Vesta 4 eternity!!

[@QueenSugar72]

💯💯💯

[@Melanie-xw9xg]

Yes, I did always. I love Vesta for who she was. 🤍🤍🤍💎🕊️🙌🏾🤗🖤🖤🖤

[@Kat_Beezy]

Oh yes! Always been a beauty with a powerful voice to match!

[@chloeg2891]

Yaaaasss, she was so beautiful!

[@byronpaisleysr4151]

Vesta could sing and she was very attractive

[@brownbagz]

She could really teach these new girls something! RIP Vesta!

[@ADawg3]

In addition, she was fun and had a hell of a personality.

[@MidwestMozart]

Wasn’t she FYNE?!

[@spicyhot2552]

Vesta had such a strong and beautiful voice ..she definetly deserved more credit .Rip 🕊 🙏🏼🕊

[@darrylthomas2664]

Yep, Vesta was Fierce ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@starchild9113]

Vesta was one of my favorite female artists back then.....❤

[@brendataylor4680]

She was a great singer. Truly underrated

[@darrengreen9273]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[@darrengreen9273]

She made other icons take notice!!! Chaka

[@michaelsinclair3321]

Very sad ending for such a beautiful and talented young woman.

[@KayKay-fc5sg]

Definitely underrated

[@donnabush7551]

I just can't grasp how such an immense talent wasn't promoted, marketed and pushed to the forefront of her career. This has happened repeatedly in the past with other female artists such as Alyson Williams, Miki Howard and Regina Belle. Vesta was a force to be reckoned with and should have been as big a star as Chaka. Her undeniable gift lives on in her music. Rest on, QUEEN, you will always be on my playlist 🙏🙏💖❤️.

[@brownbagz]

Exactly!

[@Melanie-xw9xg]

​@@brownbagzAgreed

[@levil4012]

Totally agree, and everyone u named just had that powerful voice that resonated like no other… artists like Vesta and Phyllis Hyman DEFINITELY didn’t get the shine they should’ve R.I.P. to both

[@rogerwalker2892]

Facts.....I guess some of these record label execs think that we the public won't listen to great music if the artist isn't a size 4. Yet if you check every comment section under a song from the 70's, 80's, and 90's, it is evidently clear that the public longs and craves for great music like this instead of the utter crap they promote today....but that's just me

[@levil4012]

@@rogerwalker2892 they SO got it wrong, guess I’m old fashioned I’m still appreciative in RAW GOD GIVEN TALENT could care less how a person looks… we need to get back to that

[@FutureNomad68]

When a person stands up for themself and knows their worth they get labled as difficult.

[@ragantate3995]

Especially happens to women of color.

[@FutureNomad68]

@@ragantate3995 💯🎯

[@cynthiadickerson5403]

We will continue to stand.

[@reemj3675]

She WAS difficult when deep in her addictions SHE said that herself. And while she didn't have coke in her system when she passed, she unfortunately was still using drugs, the prescribed ones. Her unfortunate addiction is what enlarged her heart so it still killed her. She was also high as a kite in segments of her unsung. It aired either just b4 she passed or just after but she was definitely high in some of those clips. She was slurring like Chaka Khan. I people can get labeled but sometimes the people are actually difficult & it isn't always their actual worth but their ego & perceived over inflated importance or something to prove thats the issue. Haven't seen anyone yet, get that label & there was no truth to it

[@tinaBabe4]

​@@reemj3675sadly...

[@beautifullyflawed_73]

She was such a beautiful woman! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@SureYoureRight]

I met Vesta when I was 8 at Disney world. We had been waiting an hour for our food and she and her entourage came in and received their food in 20 mins. I was furious. I started questioning why her food came so fast and ours didn’t. We were there first! Lol she saw the commotion and came over to our table and asked my name. She said I’m sorry I cut you in line honey, I will make sure you get your food right now. She turned to the waiter and asked that I be served next. I got my food before the rest of my family 🤣

[@fatonyalmitchell3281]

Nice memory thanks for sharing

[@troytaylor4996]

Wow what a story 😂❤

[@ladydignity]

She had a great heart to do that! ❤

[@newme1813]

That's dope!❤

[@kcoolmuziq]

It’s funny you said that! I to met Vesta at Disneyland. It was during her hit “Congratulations” . I’ll keep what happened between me, her & my late friend to myself R.I.P. Vesta 🙏🏽

[@beverlyreed4198]

In the late 80’s I had an opportunity to sing backup vocals for Vesta.. the producer during that time was Wilmer Raglin Jr. From my hometown Fort Worth Texas, he also had a big influence in me leaving Texas and coming to California. Vesta was delightful, fun and Beautiful.watching documentary makes me sad because we have lost so many beautiful souls in the entanglement of either not getting what you deserve vs more than you can handle . Rest in Heaven Queen … FYI the name Vesta refers to heavenly body a star) that shines very brightly.. how appropriate ⭐️

[@fatonyalmitchell3281]

That's for sharing your awesome memories

[@roselynholloway7863]

Did you like cali

[@beverlyreed4198]

@@roselynholloway7863 girl … I’m still here… I love it … it’s expensive but beautiful…

[@roselynholloway7863]

@@beverlyreed4198 ok

[@Kindred04]

I don't know why these labels act like a person's weight has anything to do with their singing talent. Both Vesta and Phyllis Hyman struggled with their weight and to this day I still consider them to be two of the best voices ever. They were also both incredibly beautiful at any size. Vesta and Phyllis could sing all of these little half naked girls out here today under the table. The only woman singer I can think of who wasn't essentially abandoned after gaining weight was Aretha. And that's just because she started during a time when singing ability was actually more important than looks, and by the time she had gained a significant amount of weight she was already the queen of soul, so her status precluded them acting a fool about her size.

[@sistamaryclarence]

Facts Aretha & Chaka seemed to have pretty steady careers despite their up and dwn weight they definitely proved themselves and were stamped in the business early

[@asafaust8869]

Well said. Miss Aretha deserved and commanded r-e-s-p-e-c-t. 😊

[@PancakeDiaries]

It has nothing to do with talent, but appeal... The industry is CONSUMER driven; not some label head oligarchy.

[@Kindred04]

@@PancakeDiaries The industry has always been CONSUMER driven. The point is many consumers used to have enough sense to actually care about the music and the person's talent (hence, so did the labels), not what the person looked like. Also, Phyllis and Vesta had no shortage of appeal with their target demographic, which did not include immature, simple minded people who will listen to anyone with a mediocre voice as long as she shakes her ass or wears revealing clothing. They targeted a more mature crowd who preferred substance over superficial nonsense, and they did well with those CONSUMERS.

[@randaelaine7176]

Let’s not forget Jennifer holiday also. Body shamed her and she could sing her ass off!! Would blow these new singers away!

[@optimistic1va]

I had the pleasure of seeing Vesta in concert in Virginia. She had an amazing and beautiful voice. She is truly missed, but never forgotten. ❤️

[@melaniefields9935]

I Loved Her Voice 🎤🎵🎹

[@evonza4858]

Me too 😘❤️💙💚💛💜🙏🏽💜💛💚💙❤️

[@marjorjorietillman856]

I miss seeing her at church!! I’m sooo glad they corrected her cause of death!! May she RIP! She was so nice! This made my day, because when she died, they said it was drug related. This is such good news after years of accepting their false claims!❤

[@evonza4858]

@@marjorjorietillman856 always listen to your heart and not media hype 😘💜💛💙💚❤️🙏🏽❤️💚💙💛💜

[@darrylthomas2664]

I am also glad that her cause of death was corrected.

[@danl9020]

Nobody did it like Vesta! What a powerhouse of a voice! She could sang. It’s unfortunate that these truly talented people go into such an evil business. Like Wendy Williams said the entertainment industry is demonic. RIP Vesta!!

[@patriciahudson9931]

Puhleese, don't put Vesta and crazy,, dope fiend Wendell Williams in the same conversation

[@Anonymous-gg8ri]

When they fail people always call it demonic lol

[@danl9020]

Let’s be clear people, no Vesta wasn’t perfect but she had an amazing talent. Also too let’s be honest how many entertainers have been taken advantage of by the music industry past and present! How many have been cheated out of money they earned from their talent. How many were swindled by predatory contracts? And it still goes on today. The majority of folks in this business have a story about the business and usually not a good one.

[@beverlyreed4198]

It’s definitely not an easy business… Always put God first in whatever you do..

[@lynnjones4993]

​

[@josephmackin1491]

Miss you Vesta.

[@ariel393939]

I had no ideal she passed away. She was beautiful and she had a beautiful voice as well. In the late 90's she rented a nice place from my boss. She did not want to be distributed. No one bothered her, most did not know who she was or forgot about her.

[@denicoleyoung3788]

What a vocalist. I truly miss Vesta.❤

[@sharians-bluesky]

I went to see Vesta in concert in the 1980s. Her voice was beautiful, and I am honored to say that I saw Vesta ❤. 🕊

[@draperlamarcakes]

A whole lot of life was packed into her brief 53 years. Wish Vesta, the dynamo, unforgettable woman could have been allowed to grace us with her magnificent presence on earth for much longer. We are at least left with fond memories and her wondrous musical legacy.

[@khylearmourwaters171]

She had a SIGNATURE Laugh that was out of this world. I had the pleasure meeting her several times. A PURE Sweetheart. Rest Well Lady. 🕊 🕊 🕊

[@toyatalksradio]

I loved her as a kid. RIP beautiful 🙏🏾

[@akinyianderson4075]

If ya'll haven't heard her rendition of "Rain" with Norman Brown or "I'm coming Back" please check these classics out!! R.I.P. Vesta Williams. I truly love your voice.

[@brownbagz]

Going to listen now! ❤

[@brownbagz]

I remember that record. It's beautiful!

[@yolondathorpe8117]

Vesta tore that song up& down .♥️

[@cdubz265]

Vesta laid Rain out, she made that song her own

[@QueenSugar72]

Going to find now and listen

[@tanyalaing4031]

RIP Vesta, you had some pipes on you

[@justbeingveetv3423]

When I was a little girl. I wanted to be Vesta. She is so beautiful..

[@JonathanGardnerTV]

Truly one of a kind. Her scatting on “In Your Mind” is incredible. Such a dynamic vocalist. “Sweet Sweet Love”, “I’ll Give You My Love”, “Something About You”, “I Have To”, “Now That I Have You”, “Don’t Let Me Down”, “I Promise Love”, “Thank You for the Chance”, “I Don’t Wanna Cry Anymore” and so many more

[@amateurperformances6014]

Once bitten twice shy🎵

[@SONJASAVEDBYGRACE]

“Something about you”

[@ladydignity]

Congratulations?

[@blessingsuponblessings7378]

"Sweet Love" is still my jam!!! Miss you, Vesta!!!

[@rasun316]

...i STILL play that record@

[@bradlatimoreakasugarbear2311]

I Loved Her Voice! Especially In The Movie 🎥 "The Women Of Brewster Place"!❤

[@AnthonetteHolmes-Dillard-ir4xw]

I'll always remember her scene in the movie Posse! I'll always love the range, depth and beauty of her voice, her face and her spirit. RIP Vesta in God's loving hands!!!

[@nikkismith8447]

And RIP Tiny Lister (Debo)❤

[@epoh6776]

Love this Spirit!!!! I had the pleasure of seeing her in an intimate concert in Richmond, Virginia. The pleasure was all mine 💞💞💞💞💞

[@antonioallen1763]

A beautiful woman physically, vocally and emotionally.

[@traceycamille]

She was everything 💙💙💙🙏🏽

[@GuerlyneBel]

Vesta, beautiful, with a powerful undrated voice ❤❤🙏🕊

[@billyne9143]

Voice of an Angel. Her music is still in rotation at my house.

[@Kat_Beezy]

I grew up listening Vesta! She was a gorgeous & phenomenal woman, with the powerful singing voice to match with that! May she continue to rest well! ♥️♥️♥️

[@ChrisT-O]

Once bitten, twice shy was a huge hit in my country Germany and is still one of my favorite songs. What a powerful voice...RIP Vesta.

[@jlcii]

She was truly an underrated and super talented beautiful woman. I became a huge fan of her music once I learned about her, but unfortunately that was shortly before her passing.

[@gloriajackson8171]

Beautiful Lady, Beautiful Voice. R.I.P

[@rashadhaughton22]

Fun Fact: When Vesta used to sing back ground for Chaka, she used to sing Chaka’s main vocals when Chaka wasn’t at her best level to perform.

[@maximusprime3459]

They did favor and compliment each other vocally.

[@rashadhaughton22]

@@maximusprime3459 yes indeed

[@al5152001]

They looked like sisters 😂

[@tyronerichardson4360]

Very much unrecognized and under appreciated artist who’s talents were incredible. R. I .P.

[@rudolphwatson1737]

This beautiful talented woman could chirp!!!! So sad she left us too soon. RIP ❤

[@-love-life3267]

OMG! I love the songs “ Special” and “Suddenly it’s magic”. Vesta and Whitney will always be my fav lady artist. Everything she touched was beautifully done. I’m so glad it’s been clear how she passed. The last ridiculous rumor I heard was that she was staying at the inn as a call girl and overdosed while using with a customer and he fled. I never believed it. But I never got closure til now. RIP pretty lady!

[@60NXNP09]

Yes! Same here

[@-love-life3267]

Oh, and the song “ Sweet Sweet Love” was a favorite too.

[@KayKay-fc5sg]

Powerful vocals with amazing vocal ranges. They didn’t know how to market her so, they decided to go the problematic, overweight, black woman route. Such a gorgeous and talented woman. Beyond underrated. RIP Vesta❤️

[@DeborahMoore-rk7op]

I first heard Vesta Williams voice in the movie, "Soul Man!" I cried throughout the movie ending, just listening to how soulful her voice was. I was absolutely mesmerized by her vocal prowess! She was an enormous talent! She had an amazing voice! I was just heartbroken when I heard of her untimely, tragic death. I still cannot believe that her light was extinguished so young. She had an unbelievable talent! RIP Vesta Williams!

[@rjs1602]

Yea...I like that song she sang at the end of Soul Man.

[@mcshanday]

One of my fav songs!!❤

[@reallifetopicsrevealed7295]

*I remember watching her UNSING. It was sad that she passed what seemed to be days afterwards and they didn't know or disclose how. People don't understand how important it is to have various representation. Thank you for this. May she have eternal peace.*

[@Eyesis_1]

She was one of my absolute favorite singers. She was a force and I loved her.

[@trueselfunmasked]

Vesta was great. Absolutely loved her voice. I was one of her biggest fans and got to see her live in concert.

[@deeperbeauty4147]

The music industry can be so cruel and cold..The world is hard on people that are overweight..May Vesta rest in peace

[@keiththomas111]

"Sweet Sweet Love" was so incredibly produced and sounded good with her voice and the follow up "Special"definitely missed.🎤🎧

[@linnettemcneal8788]

I loved Vesta...great singer

[@livewithdr.andre1]

“Once Bitten Twice Shy” was my jam…thanks Chris for exposing me to this song from Vesta 💜

[@DianaPrince365]

Her voice was a powerhouse and found about her on the show Unsung! She was not promoted and nurtured enough and should hav been up there with Whitney and Chaka Khan! Thank you for featuring her. Great pictures and commentary.❤

[@screamindivaman]

Loved her personality, voice and love

[@darbyhilltopreunion3061]

What a nice thumbnail! 😁 Vesta was beautiful.

[@celitarivera7532]

it is just too bad for the world -- she was a true singer & entertainer, and is missed

[@lakeshagadson357]

growing up i loved vesta

[@genniejefferson6588]

Beautiful voice. Didn’t realize she has passed.

[@aprilfarrington8436]

She's Was So Talented And Very Awesome

[@AlmondJoie]

Vesta's ballad, _It's You,_ is my favorite by her and takes me back to the summer of '87 ... some things in life just aren't meant to last.💔

[@TheRealPerceeP1]

She was so blessed with talent killing her live performances and yet so humourous.She'll forever be missed and may she rest in paradise. 👸🏽🌹🌹❤️❤️

[@ernestnelson7779]

Vesta Williams was a beautiful and talented woman RIP

[@cecenicolevnuzb7388]

VESTA was absolutely talented beautiful and sang with the voice of an angel SHE MOST DEFINITELY DESERVES MORE RECOGNITION AND ACCOLADES I WAS SO SAD TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED TO HER MY HEART WAS FILLED WITH SADNESS AND MY EYES WERE FILLED WITH TEARS NO ONE DESERVES TO LEAVE THIS WORLD THE WAY SHE DID REST IN PARADISE QUEEN THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC YOU LEFT IN THIS WORLD 💖💫❤️👑🙏🏾💯💞🌟🎶✨⭐

[@sheilapalmer224]

No body can't never ever take her place

[@kimberlyjackson7266]

She was always beautiful and those vocals were undeniable ❤

[@DP-gx4dr]

I went to one of her shows, and I always liked her songs and voice. ❤

[@living2liveagain1]

“Sweet Sweet Love” will always be one of my ALL-Time Favorite songs and videos. The music business is ROUGH!!!! God Bless her soul!❤

[@dirtyredd4905]

Loved Vesta and was fortunate enough to see her perform live!! My song was Special!! Loved everything about that song and her! She is Beautiful and loved her full figure🤷🏽‍♂️!!! It’s a shame what producers will do to harms one’s career over body shaming! She was IT!! Continue to RIP and display your angelic voice in Heaven love!!!❤🙏🏽

[@DennardC_27]

That lady could sang! RIP Queen

[@vatricegeorge]

Vesta fans have never cared about her weightlios ir weight gain. We sll knew she was beautiful and talented no matter her size.

[@darrengreen9273]

A MAGNIFICENT VOICE!!!!

[@billiesimmons4457]

That's sad to read about Ms.Vesta Williams , she was such a great singer with a beautiful voice rest on.God Bless ya

[@vanman7268]

I enjoyed Vesta's music, and she was funny and was beautiful with a lovely singing voice. Vesta you are dearly missed 🙏🌹💐🥲

[@saundrabrown-um1xs]

I love Vesta's music. R.I.P.InHeaven Vesta 🕊️🙌🌹

[@brownbagz]

I'm at work and hit this play button so quick! I'm glad these kids don't get outta school until 3:30pm

[@Aarona_TheVirgo]

I used to LOVE ❤ Vesta Williams music 🎶 in the 80s

[@indirastone7382]

Vesta Williams' voice was so powerful & unique. She controlled her instrument with mastery. She needed rest and went home, to Yeshua.

[@keisha4620]

Thanks for sharing ❤ Loved her so much... beautiful tribute.

[@antoinettedalton5308]

I believe her family pushed them not to call it a suicide. She likely had gastric bypass surgery to keep her weight down in order to work, many artists butchered themselves and sold their souls for so little. She had a beautiful voice…

[@royaldiadem762]

Wrong. They actually got this story right. There was no suicide. Her heart was enlarged.

[@starryeyes2007]

Sold soul really stop gaslighting. Those who judge are trying to be God. God only Judges!

[@elisageorge2261]

​@@starryeyes2007And they always throwing that Soul sold SH _ TT on our phenomenal Black Artists! Entertainers! Oh but I know who 's behind it!...and some black folk just take it and run with it continuing condemning our own!!!!

[@lorimcbrayer8431]

Too many women are dying from unnecessary surgeries.

[@rjs1602]

I do recall they were initially looking for a man who was seen leaving her room. Also, she was found days after her passing. She seemed happy and optimistic in her Unsung episode that was aired shortly before her passing.

[@lmlawt26]

Vesta’s beautiful voice/music impacted me as a young girl and continues to do so up until today. I keep her in rotation. Rest in paradise beautiful! You’ll never be forgotten🕊️🙏🏾

[@vincentrobinson3078]

Truly missed, a natural beauty with natural talent !!!! RIP Ms. Williams ❤🙏🏽

[@kennyboudreaux1657]

I met Vesta in 2000 in a Ralph's Grocery store. She was sweet and super classy.

[@Hip-Hops50thAnniversary-ec1mq]

CONGRATULATIONS was her big hit! Ehat an emotional track!

[@bostonteaparty3926]

Vesta.... Oh my goodness. We miss you! That infectious laugh 10:42. Singing in the heavens.

[@cmarev3509]

Awesome, magnificent, voluminous voice, just loved her music.,❤❤❤ gone too soon🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@sandraheggs]

Vesta OUTSTANDING. SHE WAS A STAR IN HER OWN RIGHTS.SHE WAS UNDERRATED FOR REASONS OF HAVING A GIFTED VOICE OF SONG AS WELL.I MISS U VERY MUCH VESTA UR SONGS WAS ABOUT ME..R I P U WAS A SHINNING STAR ALL OVER THE GALAXY ❤🎉😊

[@champagneraspberry9950]

Wow I'm lost of words, because I didn't know she passed away.😢 My favorite song of hers is sweet sweet love 😢

[@rolandobrien]

I'm Coming Back and Congratulations are my fave Vesta songs .

[@gabbysgospel]

She was funny and extremely talented she is very missed so sad she’s not here hopefully ever present singing in heaven for the best audience ever!

[@subrennaevans6504]

Wow, I didn't know that she passed away. My late brother loved listening to her. I liked her music too..I'm sorry that she had such a hard road. My condolences to her family and friends. 😔😌

[@lakeshagadson357]

those were my hits special and congratulations sweet love

[@michaelmitchell5098]

A woman has a double hard time in the industry. That somehow has never changed no matter how many times they have broken through barriers.

[@EyeOfStormProductions]

She performed in Columbus OH I was taking pictures of her as she left the stage area she actually stopped on posed for me and asked "Did you get it?" I'll for ever cherish that chance meeting her . Timeless Voice and songs.

[@raydanielz9408]

We Love Her Unconditionally ❤❤❤

[@rtisleo]

Miss Vesta Williams 💖 One of a kind!

[@2intriguing1]

I experienced the worst form of heartbreak at an early age. I heard congratulations when I was 19 And I was never able to turn it off thereafter even though her beautifully powerful & soulful voice brought me to tears each and every time. The Industry will always try to "humble" our sisters by putting them in a "box" Rest in power Vesta❤ forever 1 of our Queens.

[@dewayneperry8395]

4z? c😮yff😮gxfyzc?g😮xffffyx?f😅cggfcc😅fx?fg😮?fgffff😅cffgfx😅ffyyf?c??"?%"😮?"😮٪^😮'%

[@beautybyyaya7960]

Loved her music...seen her and Will Downing in the late 90s in STL @ the Ambassador. Rip 🙏 Vesta

[@michaelthomas3543]

I love hearing her sing rain down on me.❤

[@Only60GamesPlayed]

I REMEMBER WHEN SHE USED TO COME TO WEST ANGELES CHURCH! SHE HAD AN AMAZING, POWERFUL VOICE!

[@jacquelineporter8010]

Loved Vesta!!!💕

[@loveshangover5062]

Thank U for keeping her alive in our hearts ❤

[@rahimshahid1937]

R.I.P BEAUTIFUL QUEEN THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽👑👑👑👑❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️