Suzette Charles, former Miss America and American singer, is releasing her debut album at the age of 63, a full 33 years later than she had hoped. After a career interrupted by personal setbacks, music industry pressures and years away from the stage, she returns with a project she describes as deeply emotional.
Charles rose to fame in 1984 when she was crowned Miss America under unusual circumstances. She initially came in second in the competition, behind Vanessa Williams. But ten months later, Williams was forced to relinquish the title after nude photos of her were published in Penthouse magazine. Charles was then crowned the winner, a moment she describes as "bittersweet and bittersweet."
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Charles began performing at a young age. She sang in commercials for brands like Colgate and Coca-Cola, appeared on “Sesame Street” and “The Electric Company,” and at age 15 sang on the soundtrack to the film version of “Hair.” Later, she was close to landing the role of Coco Hernandez in “Fame,” but the role ended up going to Irene Cara.
After being crowned Miss America, Charles received invitations to perform on tour with big names like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Stevie Wonder. The latter, she said, would ask her for ideas for new songs and once called her late at night to sing "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Charles told her the song seemed too simple for his standards, although it later became a worldwide hit.
A more difficult chapter in her career was with Bill Cosby. He invited her to perform as an opening act on his comedy tours, at a time when Charles was also being considered for a role as his daughter on the series that would later become “The Cosby Show.” She says that, even then, rumors were circulating about Cosby’s problematic behavior. For this reason, her father personally warned the actor not to touch her. During the tour, Charles traveled with her cousin as his companion and refused Cosby’s late invitations to private meetings. According to her, after that he began to embarrass her on stage, and the offer for the series was withdrawn.
In the late 80s, Charles was trying to build a career as a music artist, but faced pressure from record labels to push her into an image and style that didn't suit her. Capitol steered her toward a more "techno" sound, while RCA sought to position her as an R&B artist in the style of Sade. Charles, however, wanted a mix of pop, R&B, blues, and soul.
Fed up with her lack of artistic control, she traveled to London in 1993 and showed up unannounced at the offices of Stock Aitken Waterman, the renowned trio of producers who had created hits for Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley and many others. Mike Stock tested her by asking her to sing “You Are My Sunshine” and, impressed, immediately began writing songs for her.
One of them, "Free to Love Again", was released and reached number 58 in the UK, but her career was cut short again. RCA dropped her from her contract, unhappy that she had gone to London, and shortly afterwards Stock Aitken Waterman disbanded. Charles was left in a state of uncertainty, not understanding why the project that had seemed promising had suddenly stopped.
She then recorded new material for David Foster's 143 Records label, but that album also remained unreleased. Charles says he still doesn't know why.
After returning to the US, she married a doctor, who she said was not supportive of continuing her artistic career. For years, Charles focused on her family and raising two children, but she quietly continued to think about her career that had been interrupted. She says she felt as if her artistic past was treated as something to be hidden.
When her daughter left for college, Charles decided to change her life. She got divorced, went back to school, and started dating again. One of her first dates was with lawyer Paul Kaplan, who encouraged her to contact Mike Stock again.
Charles was hesitant at first, thinking it was too late and that Stock wouldn't respond. But he did, and in 2015 they reunited in the studio. Listening to the old songs was a surreal experience for him, as he remembered exactly the emotions he had felt when he first sang them.
In 2024, Charles and Stock began re-recording older material, alongside five new songs that address the experience of being in a relationship that holds you back. The result is a pop-disco album of power ballads, where old songs take on new meanings.
For Charles, “Free to Love Again” is now more personal than ever. She is married again, this time to Kaplan, whom she describes as a supportive partner who sees and accepts her for who she is.
Her return to music is an ending she never thought possible. Once, while touring with Sammy Davis Jr., she sang "I've Gotta Be Me" without fully understanding its meaning. Today, she says she finally understands: she is living her life, on her own terms. /GazetaExpress/
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