People are scared to approach me it's actually quite good

Vanessa Williams reveals the woman behind ice queen roles

- LYDIA VELJANOVSKI

Playing formidable women means fans are sometimes intimidated by Vanessa Williams... and that can have its advantages.

"Many people are scared to approach me," she laughs. "It's actually quite good. It cuts out 50% of the people who would have. But once they realise who I actually am, that is over."

The American star has been gaining rave reviews playing ice-queen magazine editor Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada in the West End.

And from 2006 to 2010, she perfected her withering glare as fashion boss Wilhelmina Slater in TV hit Ugly Betty.

But she says the stereotypes of women ruling with iron fists are changing.

"There are so many examples of women who are CEOs, governors, even presidents," she says. "Thank God those stereotypes are disappearing. It is incredible how much power and status women have achieved in 20 years."

One driven woman who knows only too well about being labelled is her close friend Hillary Clinton, once branded a "nasty woman" by Donald Trump.

Hillary, 78, lives near Vanessa, 62, in her hometown of Chappaqua, New York, and they support each other's careers.

"She is doing really well," says Vanessa. "She hasn't come to see the show yet, but her aide David has."

New York born Vanessa was speaking before she turned on the Oxford Street Christmas lights in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.