2010

- Honored with The Trevor Project's Trevor Hero Award

- Nominated for Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress for "Ugly Betty"

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album for "The Real Thing"

- Nominated for Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for International Vocalist of the Year (2009)

2009
- Nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

- Nominated for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for PBS' "Mama Mirabelle"

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

2008
- Nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

- Awarded Human Rights Campaign's Ally For Equality Award

- Won Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

- Nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

- Nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"
Shared with: Alan Dale, America Ferrera, Christopher Gorham, Mark Indelicato, Ashley Jensen, Judith Light, Eric Mabius, Becki Newton, Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, Rebecca Romijn, Kevin Sussman, Michael Urie

2007
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in recognition of more than 20 years in the entertainment industry

- Nominated for Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

- Nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"
Shared with: Alan Dale, America Ferrera, Mark Indelicato, Ashley Jensen, Eric Mabius, Becki Newton, Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, Kevin Sussman, Michael Urie

- Won Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for "Ugly Betty"

- Won Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Villain for "Ugly Betty"

- Won Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for "Ugly Betty"

- Awarded Special Spirit in China Award of Excellence for commitment to support Special Olympics worldwide

2006
- Nominated for Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for "Ugly Betty"

2004
- Nominated for BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Box Office Movie for Johnson Family Vacation

2003
- Won Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television for Keep the Faith, Baby (TV)

- Nominated for Black Reel Network's Best Actress Award for Keep the Faith, Baby (TV)

- Nominated for Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album for Into The Woods

2002
- Nominated for Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress In a Musical for Into the Woods

- Nominated for Drama League Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for Into the Woods

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for Keep the Faith, Baby (TV)

2001
- Nominated for Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress - Action for Shaft

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for Shaft

2000
- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Light It Up

1999
- Nominated for an ALMA Award for Outstanding Performance of a Song for a Feature Film for Dance with Me
Song: You Are My Home
Shared with: Chayanne

1998
- Nominated for two Grammy Awards for:
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for Star Bright
Best Contemporary Christian Album for Star Bright

- Won Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture
for Soul Food

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series for The Odyssey

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Album for Next

- Nominated for Acapulco Black Film Festival's Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for Soul Food

1997
- Nominated for NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist for Where Do We Go From Here from the motion picture Eraser

- Nominated for Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress - Action for Eraser

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special for: “Vanessa Williams & Friends: Christmas in New York” (TV)

- Nominated for Online Television Academy Awards for Best Guest Actress in a Syndicated Series for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

- Nominated for NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for The Odyssey

1996
- Awarded the Soul Train Lady of Soul: Lena Horne Award for Career Achievement

- Nominated for five Grammy Awards including:
Pop Female Vocalist for Colors of the Wind
Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female for The Way That You Love
Best R&B Song for You Can't Run
Best Musical Show Album for Kiss of the Spider Woman

- Won Grammy Award for Best Song written for a Motion Picture or Television for Colors of the Wind (Given to songwriters.)

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series for Bye Bye Birdie (TV)

- Won Academy Award for Song of the Year for Colors of The Wind
(Given to songwriters.)

1995
- Won Image Award for Outstanding Single for The Sweetest Days

- Won Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance for Kiss of the Spider Woman

- Awarded George Arents Pioneer Medal Alumni Award from Syracuse University

- Nominated for Grammy Award for Pop Vocal Duo or Group for Love Is

1994
- Won NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Recording Artist

- Awarded Police Athletic League's Woman of the Year Award

1993
- Won Billboard Music Award for Number 1 Adult Contemporary Single for Love Is

- Nominated for three American Music Awards for:
Favorite Female Artist - Pop / Rock
Favorite Female Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues
Favorite Album - Adult Contemporary for The Comfort Zone

- Nominated for four Grammy Awards for:
Record of the Year for Save The Best For Last
Song of the Year, Pop Female Vocalist for Save The Best for Last
Best Pop vocal performance, female for Save The Best for Last
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female The Comfort Zone

- Nominated for three Soul Train Awards for:
Best Song of the Year: Save The Best for Last
Best R&B Single: Save The Best for Last
Best R&B Single, Group, Duo, or Band: Love Is

1992
- Nominated for Billboard Music Award for Single of the Year for Save The Best for Last

- Nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards for:
Best Female Video of the Year for Save The Best for Last
Best Cinematography in a Video for Running Back to You

- Won three New York Music Awards for:
Artist of the Year
Best R&B Single for Save The Best for Last
Best Single of the Year for Save The Best for Last

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for Stompin' at the Savoy

- Nominated for Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist for Save The Best For Last

1990
- Won New York Music's Best Female R&B Vocalist Award

1989
- Won MTV Video Music Award for Best Video of the Year for The Right Stuff

- Won ASCAP Award for Most Played Song of the Year for Dreamin'

- Nominated for Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female for Dreamin'

- Awarded New York Music's Rising Star Award

- Won NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Recording Artist

1988
- Won Soul Train Award for Best R&B Album of the Year for The Right Stuff

- Nominated for two Grammy Awards for:
Best New Artist
Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female for The Right Stuff

1983
- Won Miss America