Vanessa Williams to miss The Devil Wears Prada performances in London following her mom’s death

Vanessa Williams will miss a number of performances in the London production of The Devil Wears Prada following the death of her mother, Helen Louise Williams.

The actress, 61, is currently playing Miranda Priestly in the West End musical adaptation of the film.

The show shared an announcement on Thursday stating that Williams will be away from January 8 and will return on January 16, with the star reposting the statement on her Instagram Stories.

In her absence, the role of Miranda will be played by English actress Debbie Kurup, 45.

“Due to a sudden loss in her family, Vanessa Williams will not appear from Wednesday, January 8 through Wednesday, January 15,” the statement said.

“During this time, the role of Miranda Priestly will be played by Debbie Kurup. Vanessa will return to the Devil Wears Prada from Thursday, January 16.”

On Thursday, Williams announced the death of her “remarkable” mother, who died during a trip to London to see her perform in the West End show.

Williams said Helen died on December 28 at the age of 85 at The London Clinic due to complications from ‘acute liver failure’.

She had flown to Britain to see Vanessa on stage and celebrate her 85th birthday.

Vanessa confirmed the sad news in a statement shared on Instagram as she paid tribute to the “loyal friend and powerhouse.”

She wrote: “On December 28, the world lost a powerhouse, dynamo and force of nature, packed into a 6-foot frame.

“Our mother, Helen Williams, known to many as Gaga, took her final bow in London, 20 days after celebrating her 85th birthday, surrounded by family and friends.”

Vanessa added: ‘It’s impossible to describe everything she meant to everyone because everyone saw a different facet of her. Loyal friend to many, icy stares for a chosen few.

‘We will all miss it. During her visit [to London] she suffered a serious decline in her health that ended her life.”

The actress then added “some reflections” on Helen’s “remarkable life” after working as a teacher and university professor before retiring in 1996.

The statement revealed that Helen would tell her students: ‘Work as best you can and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something – never! Make up your mind, prepare, study hard and be very confident.”

It added that she was a “shop lover,” loved to travel and was a devoted grandmother.

In addition to being the mother of Vanessa, she was also the mother of a son named Christopher. Her husband of 45 years, Milton, died in 2006.

Helen will be remembered at ‘intimate private memorial services’ in January and the family have asked for donations to the Helen Tinch Williams Vocal Performance Fund.

Vanessa is currently starring in the new musical – based on the hit book and film – as the iconic Miranda Priestly.

The play follows aspiring journalist Andy Sachs, played by Georgie Buckland, as she scores a job at the prestigious magazine Runway under Miranda’s guidance.

The production screened preview performances at the Theater Royal Plymouth in July and August, ahead of its West End opening in October.

In a promo for the show shared in early July that boasts, “Miranda has arrived,” the actress and singer was seen dramatically shooting under the stage.

The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 best-selling novel and the 2006 blockbuster film, which received two Academy Award nominations.

Miranda is a powerful New York City-based editor-in-chief of the fictional fashion magazine Runway, who was played by Meryl Streep in the film adaptation.

The Oscar winner received critical acclaim for her role, while Anne Hathaway and Emma Blunt were also loved for their roles as her combat assistants.

Vanessa, an Emmy and Tony nominee, is best known for her role as Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty, another demanding fashion magazine boss.