DEVIL WEARS

EXCLUSIVE BY LYDIA VELJANOVSKI

- BY 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 London's 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.