'Betty' actress nearly missed out on role

Ugly Betty's Vanessa Williams has revealed that she almost missed out on her role in the show.

The actress - who plays magazine boss Wilhelmina Slater - was considered by producers from the beginning but couldn't make it to the auditions in Los Angeles after losing her father.

"We're a very close family and it completely rocked our world. We went away to Egypt," Vanessa explained.

"So I couldn't meet with the producers and they cast someone. Then I got a call, 'We want you to start tomorrow...' You just never know in this business."