ET went behind the scenes as Vanessa Williams filmed her guest appearance on The Good Wife, airing this Sunday on CBS.

"It's starting to heat up," Williams told ET.

In the episode, Williams plays a seductress named Courtney Paige, a potential campaign contributor being pursued by Ruth (Margo Martindale) and Eli (Alan Cumming), while Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Lucca (Cush Jumbo) join a case involving an automotive
executive and his employee who test drove a self-driving car that was involved in an accident. Alicia winds up sleeping with her cheating ex, Peter (Chris Noth), along the way.

MORE: 7 Things You'd Be Surprised to Know About 'The Good Wife'

The premise of The Good Wife, a woman transforming her image following a highly publicized scandal, undoubtedly hits home for the actress. Williams infamously relinquished her title as Miss America in 1984 after becoming the first African-American to win the distinction in '83. According to Williams, pageant officials gave her 72 hours to resign after her reputation was "tarnished" by nude photos she had taken that were bought and published by Penthouse magazine.

Today, that scandal is far behind her, but the lessons she took away from it remain.

"You can't give up," Williams said. "You always have to remember what you're made of and not let circumstances get in the way. They might delay your progress for the moment, but you always have to remember who you are, and that will give you the eyes on the prize."

Williams made a triumphant return to the Miss America pageant in September when she was welcomed back as a performer and a judge.

WATCH: Vanessa Williams Makes Triumphant, Musical Return to Miss America Pageant

Catch her appearance on The Good Wife on Sunday at 9 p.m. on CBS.