"Every time she opens up her heart and is vulnerable, and gets burned, she puts another chink in her armor and fortifies herself," Williams explained.  "That's the human condition.  I mean, she does it to an extreme."

Glad that she was cast in such a fulfilling role, Vanessa Williams went on: "I also know she can't lose her bite.  That's her go-to, that's her humor, her comfort zone.  And I know that people tune in to hear what phenomenal, witty lines our writers come up with on a weekly basis."

One of the major storylines that Wilhelmina will be undergoing this season is the return of her daughter, Nico.  Now portrayed by America's Next Top Model's YaYa DaCosta, Nico seems to be opening up some wounds now that she's back.  Still, Willy will be there for her no matter what.

"I think it brings out the lioness in her, the mother, the protector," Williams said.  "It's another great pairing.  It shows that no matter what happens, Wilhelmina is going to protect her child."

As for another pseudo-mother-daughter relationship, there's Wilhelmina and Betty.  Vanessa Williams went on:  "I've given her advice: Don't turn into me.  Don't let work get in the way.  Enjoy your life, be careful, because you're driven like me.  Beware."

Romance has also been a big deal for Wilhelmina since last season, and it might just evolve this year.  "The Connor-Willy story showed her softening, almost giving up everything for love," the actress declared.  "It was a nice dynamic. Most of the feedback that I got was that this was a man who could handle her.  He's not eclipsed by her; he's not overpowering her; he's on her level.  And I think that's why people believed it."

And it looks like the whole thing's going to work out too.  In the end, Willy might just get both her career and her man.  Williams guessed, "Maybe she opens Mode Australia and runs off to Connor."




-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TV Guide
(Image Courtesy of ABC)