Natashia Williams

Natashia Williams
Natashia Williams
Born	August 2, 1978; Pontiac, Illinois, U.S.
Other names	Natashia Williams-Blach
Occupation	Actress, model, singer, author
Years active	1995–present
Spouse(s)	Brevin Blach

Natashia Williams-Blach (born August 2, 1978) is an American actress, singer, and former Wonderbra campaign model, who is perhaps best known for her role as Shane Phillips in the NBC/syndicated series She Spies.

She also co-starred in So Little Time, opposite Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and the Nickelodeon series Romeo! from 2004 to 2006.

She appeared on the seventh season of American Idol as Natashia Blach, having married photographer Brevin Blach. She made it through the Hollywood round to the top 50 but got cut just before the Top 24 were selected.

She has written and published a book, Mind Over Model (2013), most widely available on Amazon.com.

Biography

Natashia Williams began her film and television career at the age of 16, appearing first on Saved by the Bell: The New Class. Shortly after accepting a scholarship to attend the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), she landed her first movie role in Def Jam's How to Be a Player. Originally signed to play a smaller supporting role, she made such an impression as the 'Pink Bikini Girl' that her character was extended in the film and pictured prominently on the movie poster and billboards. She then began modeling with the Ford Agency maintaining her studies while modeling in various photo shoots and filming television guest star roles. She appeared in the ad campaigns of Wondebra, Old Navy, Hanes and Skechers in addition to being featured in many other numerous publications and runway shows for Guess and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Her time was divided heavily between the East and West Coast as well as internationally, modeling and filming more features and television appearances such as Howard Stern's cult comedy Son of the Beach as well as Smart Guy, 'Malcolm and Eddie', 'The Parkers' 'Girlfriends and the film Two Can Play That Game, appearing alongside Morris Chestnut and Vivica A. Fox. Her first starring role on a series came in 2001, playing Tedi on the show So Little Time alongside the Olsen Twins. She then took a temporary leave from UCLA to film full time. Soon after wrapping production on the then Fox Family series, Williams soon stepped into the role of Shane Phillips, one of three women known as She Spies, also starring Kristen Miller and Natasha Henstridge. The show featured three beautiful ex-cons working for the government with the tag line "Bad Girls Gone Good". It conjured high expectations for NBC, with an experimental filming approach featuring musical vignettes, breaking the fourth wall, all while parodying the entire spy-adventure TV show genre. The project was already purchased for syndication but lasted only two seasons due to sliding ratings.

Despite its brevity, the show afforded her a wider fan base and new relationships with many local and national charities. In the wake of the tragic Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004, Williams lent her voice alongside an all star lineup of singers and musicians including Brian McKnight, Mýa and Papa Roach to record "Forever in Our Hearts", led by musical group Godhead founder Jason Miller. The proceeds from sales of the single helped raise awareness and aid for the victims of the disaster. That summer Williams also competed in the 'Fox Summer Music Jam,' and beat over a dozen other female celebrities in the beauty/talent contest for a $20,000 donation to the charity of her choice. She chose The Los Angeles Mission. She still works with the organization as a 'red apron' servant; providing holiday meals, while donating supplies and funds to assist local homeless citizens to this day.

Natashia then starred as stepmother to Romeo Miller in the series Romeo! on Nickelodeon, also starring and produced by Master P. She played Angeline Miller for the last two of the show's three-season run.

In 2004, while Williams was already producing her own music she would go on to sing the national anthem for several sporting events, including her hometown Los Angeles Lakers basketball game as well as the Memphis Grizzlies. She then booked the pilot, Filthy Gorgeous, about the subworld of high-class prostitutes, starring alongside legendary actress and spokesmodel Isabella Rossellini. The pilot was not picked up although the single episode aired on Showtime Networks as a feature film. She then made a cameo appearance, giving Anna Faris an "enlightening motorcycle ride" in the film comedy Smiley Face.

After guest-starring on both CSI Miami and CSI New York, nearly back to back, she gave birth to her first child, Talan, with husband Brevin Blach. Williams then took a break from the business, and while retreating temporarily with family in Fort Collins, Colorado, she decided to try out for American Idol "on a dare" and made it all the way through to the top 25 contestants of season 7. Her outstanding rendition of "At Last" by Etta James during the try-outs threw off many fans and viewers alike, whom had not learned of her recent name change (to Blach) from marriage or her relocation. Some web postings suggested Williams was made to be a "plant" in the competition, given she already had a career and singing credits to her name. She recounted the time: "It was so much fun getting to be myself, not as the actor or celebrity, but as just another face in a sea of hopefuls, just wanting to sing."

Her voluntary obscurity wouldn't last long. She then returned to film making, starring in the Paramount Pictures psychological thriller, Circle of Eight and then a recurring role on the CW television show Vampire Diaries, playing "Lucy", cousin to the long line of Bennett Witches on the show, making at least two appearances during its 2011-2017 run.

Natashia then gave birth to her second child, Braden. While taking another unofficial break to focus on family, Natashia wrote a book based on her life and career as a fashion model: Mind Over Model, An Internal Journey Through The World Of Externals. It was published and released by Create Space (U.S. Domestic and International) in 2013 Amazon.com and available on Kindle. In 2014, she started an entirely new venture as owner and designer of an artisan crafted jewelry line. Her company called, Gypsy Posh By TOSH, features an eclectic vibe and style sampling "for all fabulous walks of life," available online.

Starring TV roles

Romeo! (2004–2006) as Angeline Eckert Miller
She Spies (2002–2004) as Shane Phillips
So Little Time (2001–2002) as Teddi

TV guest appearances

The Vampire Diaries (2010, 2017); Episode Masquerade (The Vampire Diaries) and I Was Feeling Epic (The Vampire Diaries) as Lucy Bennett
American Idol: Season 7 (2008)
CSI: New York (2006)
All of Us (2006)
Filthy Gorgeous (2005)
CSI: Miami (2005)
Men, Women & Dogs (2001)
The Parkers (2001)
Girlfriends (2001)
Grown Ups (2000)
Son of the Beach (2000)
Smart Guy (1997)
Malcolm & Eddie (1997)
Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1995)

Filmography

Circle of Eight (2009)[1]
Smiley Face (2007)
Two Can Play That Game (2001)
Trippin' (1998)
Def Jam's How to Be a Player (1997)

References

Join the CIRCLE OF EIGHT with a new trailer

External links

Natashia Williams at IMDb

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[1] Join the CIRCLE OF EIGHT with a new trailer