Vanessa Opens Up About Lindsay/America Feud

Since the news broke last month that Lindsay Lohan's guest-starring role on ABC hit Ugly Betty had been cut back by two episodes amid rumors of on-set tension between the scandal-magnet actress and the show's star, America Ferrera, the actors on the Betty cast have all been downplaying these reports. But now, in an exclusive OK! interview, co-star Vanessa Williams finally begins to hint at the source of the troubles.

"We're such a tight cast, and a well-oiled machine, that to jump on and to rise to the occasion is the true test," the actress told OK! at Monday night's Mayor's Awards ceremony at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. "We've had Patti LuPone, who's a Broadway legend; Bernadette Peters, who just started with us last week  — So there are people who have been in the industry for years and have had tremendous accolades. And I think Lindsay playing the part that she did, which was Kimmy — kind of a bratty high school nightmare for Betty — I think she did her part."

Vanessa, who still maintains that any problems were "blown out of proportion," seemed to say that the demands the show's star places on herself might have been a source of tension. "America is the consummate professional," she explained. "She works very hard, and she's also she's very invested in her character. So if you don't come with the same drive and panache... I think that's were the unbalance was."

However, added the model-turned-actress, "I think by the time Lindsay was finished, she loved us and she wanted to stay longer."

By Oliver Coleman