NEWSVanessa Williams Was 'Third Dibs' on 'Save the Best for Last' After Two Music Icons Passed
Vanessa Williams was the third person to be offered 'Save the Best for Last.'
Aug. 12 2026, Published 9:53 a.m. ET
Vanessa Williams almost didn't bag her biggest hit.
As the singer shared on Tuesday's episode of the "Dinner's on Me" podcast, "The real story behind ‘Save the Best for Last’ is, like, I was third dibs on that s---."
Turns out, that song was initially offered to two bigger music icons, who chose to pass on it at the time.
'Save the Best for Last' Was Originally Offered to Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand was offered 'Save the Best for Last' originally, but she passed on the track.
Per Williams’ claims, two major stars were first approached to perform the ballad.
"So they gave it to Bette Midler, who passed," Williams continued to tell Jesse Tyler Ferguson. "They gave it to [Barbra] Streisand, and she passed. And I was, like, third one up."
Vanessa Williams Chose 'Save the Best for Last' for Her Second Studio Album
Vanessa Williams was 'third dibs' on 'Save the Best for Last.'
Instead of turning it down like the others, Williams chose to include "Save the Best for Last" in her second studio album, 1991's The Comfort Zone.
The track was released as its third single the following February, and before she knew it, it had become her most popular work.
The hit song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks and also took off internationally. It even ranked among the biggest songs of the year, taking the place alongside Sir Mix-a-Lot’s "Baby Got Back" and Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You."
Williams also scored Record of the Year and Female Pop Vocal Performance nominations for her version of the masterpiece.
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
Midler and Streisand Were Already Famous When Offered 'Save the Best for Last'
Betty Midler was already enjoying her own success when 'Save the Best for Last' was offered to her.
When the two were offered the track, both Midler and Streisand were already savoring their own victories.
Midler had just found success with her 1991 film For the Boys, earning a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and an Oscar nomination.
Meanwhile, Streisand was busy enjoying the fortunate tides of her 1991 movie, The Prince of Tides. She starred alongside Nick Nolte and directed it as well. It earned seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture.
Williams Lost Out on One Other Popular Song: 'Baby Baby'
Vanessa Williams also wanted to take on 'Baby Baby,' but it went to Amy Grant instead.
As she continued to share on "Dinner's on Me," Williams had another famous song that could have been hers: "Baby Baby."
But unfortunately for her, it was never passed her way due to an oversight.
Instead, that song went to Amy Grant, who made it a big hit for herself. Williams, however, did share that she would have loved to have that one.
Even without that song, though, the singer made sure her career thrived with tunes like "Love Is," "Colors of the Wind," "The Comfort Zone," and "The Sweetest Days."
She has also made a name for herself as an actress, with roles in TV's Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty and films like Shaft.
