You Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her No-Nonsense Mother, and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (31 page)

From Atlantic City to L.A. to New York and everywhere in between—thirty years later and Brian Edwards is still my right-hand man. Who the hell would have thought?

Receiving my star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Brian

CHAPTER

32

V
anessa loves performing, but she’s happiest when she’s with her children. She’s very generous with them—almost to a fault. They seem to get everything they want and ask for.

Vanessa is a very kind and giving person. She works very hard and as a single mom she’s always had some guilt for not always being there. But she makes a point of being there for all the important events. She’ll fly across the country for a birthday or a play or one of the kids’ sporting events. Once, she flew home from Japan so she wouldn’t miss Jillian’s confirmation, and flew back the next day to continue her concert schedule.

Sometimes I worry that they don’t appreciate everything Vanessa’s been able to provide for them to make growing up comfortable and easy. They expect it because that’s just how they were raised. My concern is that they’re used to such a privileged quality of living that it may be a challenge for them to provide for themselves when they have to survive on their own. I have no doubt that they’re talented and smart enough to do it, but it won’t be easy. Just ask Vanessa. I’ve decided that in my next life I want Vanessa to be
my
mother.

PARENTING TECHNIQUES: HELEN VERSUS VANESSA

VANESSA:
I made a decision when I was pregnant with Melanie that I’d always be honest and open with my kids. I don’t have inhibitions about sharing information with them, whether it’s about me or if there’s something they’ve seen on television that they have questions about. I’ve told them about the mistakes I’ve made in my life, my marriages, as a parent, and what I’ve learned from them. I want them to know who I am as a person, a woman, and as their mother. That’s not something that I got at home growing up. I don’t want to be weighed down by secrets. I want my children to know me, to like me, and to eventually be my friend.

HELEN:
To me being a good parent is a lot of trial and error. In hindsight, what worked for us as parents was being consistent in family rules, establishing clear expectations, and setting positive goals. The priority for us was being a parent and showing our kids that they are loved. Friendship was secondary. I didn’t care if I was my child’s friend. But as my children have aged into adulthood, I’d like to think they think of me as their mother
and
their friend. Although Vanessa doesn’t have to share everything with me! (Unless, of course, it’s good gossip!)

CHAPTER

33

Vanessa’s children are all very creative. But if they decide to go the singing or acting route, I think it is important they remember who their mother is and know it may be hard to live in that celebrity shadow.

—HELEN WILLIAMS

W
ith the grace of a seasoned athlete, Sasha leaped into the air, arched her back, swung her arm, and spiked the volleyball over the net, scoring a point for her team. And the crowd of parents assembled in the Curtis Elementary School gym burst into rowdy applause.

“Yay, Sasha! Good job!” someone yelled when the applause died down.

With a big grin on her face, Sasha turned and sought out the voice. “Thank you,” she said.

A few of the mothers sitting near me grinned. “Who does that? one asked me. “What kid says thank you while they’re in the middle of a game?”

Sasha does. When I watch her play her favorite sports—whether volleyball, basketball, softball, or swimming—I am so proud. Not because of her skill—although she’s athletic like her father—but
because that girl is just so joyous. She’s this amazing confection of silliness and intensity; and I marvel as the other kids seem to gravitate toward her energy.

Someone this happy, this full of joy and light, hasn’t suffered because of the choices I’ve made; in fact, she’s thrived.

I’ve questioned whether my career decisions would affect my children. Do I move? Do I stay? Can the kids handle the instability? How much school will they miss?

Sasha has been affected the most by the vagaries of my career. She moved to Los Angeles with me for
Ugly Betty
and she moved back to New York with
Ugly Betty
. Then when
Ugly Betty
was canceled, she returned to Los Angeles for
Desperate Housewives
. And after
Desperate Housewives
ends this season? Who knows? Maybe we’ll stay, maybe we’ll return to New York. I could worry about the effect this constant state of flux could have on such a young life.

But Sasha is resilient.

“So what, Mom? If I go to another school, it’s okay.” Sasha blurted this out one day when asked about the unsure future. Then she shrugged and gave me a reassuring smile. “I make friends easily. It will not be a big deal. You don’t have to worry about me.”

What more could a mother want from life than to have children who tell her that she doesn’t have to worry about them? Of course as a mom, I will always worry—that’s what we do. Ask my mother—she still worries about Chris and me. But the truth is, I have four amazing children who are becoming amazing adults. They are strong-minded, high-spirited, and brimming with talent.

They are, without question, my greatest accomplishment.

I started having children so young that I’ve never really known what it’s like not to have them around. I’ll listen to some parents talk about their kids and some speak like they’re such a burden. They’ll ship them away to summer camp any chance they get. I love having my children together in my house, eating a big homemade lasagna dinner and bonding over childhood memories. I love hearing
their laughter. Typical of their ages, the kids love to poke fun at the grown-ups. It’s not unusual to have both Ramon and Rick over to dinner. They once took the kids skiing while I was in Miami. How’s that for teamwork? It’s truly a blended family, complete with Rick’s son, Kyle.

Right now Sasha’s the only one at home. I have no idea how I’ll adjust when they’re all out of the house. By that time, I may have grandkids running around. It’s not that crazy—I made my mom a grandmother when she was exactly my age now.

Melanie, the uptown girl, has the heart of a writer. Even as a child, her poetry was deep and mature. She has a wonderful voice. She sang a solo, “Gracious Good Shepherd,” on my first Christmas CD. She’s danced her whole life and is a great mimic. Yet, she is such a private person and never likes to be the center of attention. She’s in Manhattan, living the dream—she writes a fashion blog, has a real estate license, and works as a fashion stylist. I always ask her for recommendations on clothes. She chose my gowns for the Emmys and helps dress me for photo shoots. She has a great eye and a terrific sense of fashion. Even as a toddler, she would kick off denim; insist on silky nightgowns; and beg for pretty dresses, party shoes, and tights.

Jillian, my downtown girl, is living
my
dream. She’s dancing in a modern company, rehearsing at Alvin Ailey, and enjoying all that the city has to offer. Like Melanie, Jillian’s been a dancer her whole life and majored in dance at the New School, where she graduated last year. Her style of dance would be considered alternative and I’m thrilled that she can be a pro at it. She also sings and writes music. She sang with me during my concert tour in Japan this past summer. I hosted the Daytime Emmys in 2009 and got choked up when I sang my opening number, “The Sweetest Days,” a song written about my kids. I look over and there’s Jillian onstage with me singing backup.

Devin just started freshman year in college. He’s a man of few words but I follow him on Twitter to keep up. How modern! He
also is athletic, a great dancer, and a sax player. He writes and produces rap music. Devin is an impeccable dresser. Even as a young boy his shirt, pants, and sneakers all had to match. “I’m the red Power Ranger today!” The next day, he’d be the white Power Ranger. Then the blue Power Ranger. He had Power Ranger birthdays four years in a row. His Power Ranger obsession eventually ended, but his obsession for coordinating his style never did.

He’s also a natural onstage. His last performance was when he played Birdie in his middle school’s production of
Bye Bye Birdie
. He’d watched me play Rosie in the 1995 ABC television version. So he auditioned for Birdie to surprise me and got the lead. I saw his performance twice when I flew in from the
Betty
set. He was a sensation. But that was his last musical. “It’s not my thing,” he told me. He played saxophone (my father taught him) at his high school graduation. But as he performed, I thought,
That’s the last time I’ll ever hear him play. He’s done with that, too.
My dad would have been so proud. I’m sure somewhere Papa was smiling.

Through it all, Ramon and Rick and I have managed to strike up solid friendships and respect for one another. We’re all there for birthdays, graduations, Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easters. We’ve all stayed at my house together with both men in the guestrooms and the kids beaming. Last year, Ramon was in between houses and he needed a place to live, so he stayed with us in Chappaqua for months. Why not? It was weird and awkward at times, but the kids loved it. Ramon’s a great cook and an obsessive cleaner, which are great benefits. Plus, he’s been almost a stepdad to Sasha, attending dance recitals, basketball games, and swim meets, and joining us at mass.

Silvio came to visit me in my trailer on location to give me the news of
Betty
’s cancellation in its fourth season. It was so sad. America and I were shooting a really funny double-dating scene and we had to pretend that our hearts weren’t breaking. But even though I was upset, I was lucky—I still had work. James Lapine (who had directed me in
Into the Woods
) asked if I wanted to do a limited run at the Roundabout Theatre in a show about Stephen Sondheim’s life.

HELEN ON BEING VANESSA’S NEIGHBOR

I’m getting older. It’s comforting for Chris and Vanessa to know I’m living next to one of them. Now they don’t have to worry so much about me. Not that there’s anything to worry about—I’m in great shape, I exercise every day and I feel wonderful. But I am in the fall of my life on this earth and it was time for a change. Even though Milton told me he’d never leave our Millwood home, I know he would have wanted me to move. He would be happy knowing I’m so close to Vanessa. I’m pleased that I’ve done it—it was a huge accomplishment for me to move out of the house that had been my home for forty-eight years, then design and build my new house.

And Vanessa and I don’t see each other all the time—only when we want to, which is the perfect arrangement.

As I age it’s nice to reflect on my children, grands, and where my journey has led me thus far. I hope what lies ahead will be positive experiences but what I know for sure is … you have no idea!

James Lapine had created an incredible evening that allowed the audience to travel through Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant career as a lyricist, composer, son, student, and Broadway icon. I would get stage time with Barbara Cook, the legendary soprano now in her eighties, who sounded like she was still in her prime—just smokier.
I loved to sit next to her and listen to her theater stories and then hear her curse at Stephen because the intervals were so tricky.

Barbara and I had a showstopping number together at the top of act 2. I was seated on a block on stage right, singing “I Think About You.” Then on stage left, Barbara sings “Not a Day Goes By.” We both stand up and walk toward each other, our songs overlapping. It builds into a crescendo and the house would go wild.

“Whoo-hoo, they love us,” Barbara would squeal as we strolled offstage.

I met with Marc Cherry, creator of
Desperate Housewives
, at his suite at the Essex House Hotel in Manhattan. Every year after the show wraps, he visits New York for two weeks to catch up on all the new Broadway shows. Marc was a musical-theater major, too, so when we met, we immediately bonded over our shared loves—Sondheim, theater stories, and Miss America. He knew all about the pageant—the competition and the songs.

We talked a good forty-five minutes and then Marc asked if I’d seen
Desperate Housewives
. “I want you to join the cast.”

We brainstormed. We threw some ideas around. Marc decided that my character would be a former New Yorker who was divorced but was once married to a New York Yankee. She’d constantly shock Wisteria Lane residents with her insensitive comments and behavior. She’d be funny and a force, but different from Wilhelmina. It sounded perfect to me.

Then Marc and I went back to talking about theater.

So Renee Perry was born one May day in the downstairs restaurant at the Essex House in between theater chat.