Just ask Vanessa Williams, who a month ago was still less well known for her musical achievements than for the Penthouse photos that cost her the Miss America title.

In the last few weeks, her latest single, "Dreamin'," which almost stalled out shortly before the Grammy bids were announced, has exploded on the black charts; this week, it moved up all the way from No. 6 for Williams' first big No. 1 title. (Earlier, her "The Right Stuff" single had a brief run at No. 1 on the less influential dance list.)