Vanessa Villante is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alin Sumarwata.

Sumarwata and her family relocated to Melbourne and purposely moved near to the studio, so she could manage work and be close to her daughter.

A TV Week writer called Vanessa "volatile", while an Inside Soap columnist said was "fiercely independent".

Vanessa's early storylines focused on a one-night stand with Lucas Fitzgerald (Scott Major), which resulted in pregnancy.

In August 2013, it was revealed that Sumarwata had been written out, and she departed alongside Major on 24 September, as their characters' moved to the countryside.

On 5 December 2011, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported Sumarwata had joined the cast of Neighbours as regular character, Vanessa Villante.

[4] Sumarwata relocated to Melbourne from Sydney with her husband and their young daughter, and she filmed her first scenes the week before her casting announcement.

[6] Sumarwata said she was "very excited" about her new role, while executive producer Richard Jasek quipped "We're thrilled to bits that she's joined the cast.

[11] When asked to describe her character by Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly, Sumarwata stated "She is impulsive, excitable and doesn't let much get her down and wears her heart on her sleeve.

[13] Sumarwata told Kilkelly that she was excited to learn that Vanessa's mother was being brought into the series, as it meant that there would be some exploration of her background.

[14] A TV Week writer revealed that Vanessa would become a love interest for one of the male characters and that she would turn his world "upside down and more.

Speaking to a writer from Channel 5's Neighbours website, Sumarwata said that playing a pregnant character brought back memories of her own pregnancy.

"[16] The actress also revealed that to portray Vanessa's condition she had to wear a false stomach and added that the one consolation with the pregnancy was that she could take it off at the end of the day.

[16] Sumarwata told Kilkelly that she was initially unaware of how significant the storyline would be, but thought that it was a great way to get viewers talking about her character.

[18] Jason Herbison, writing for Inside Soap, commented that Rhys may have met his match in Vanessa, while Barber said that her feistiness appeals to his character.

"[6] When Vanessa witnesses Rhys shouting at their neighbour Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne), she thinks that she could end up in a similar situation in the future and she is scared by that.

[20] When asked if Rhys and Vanessa make a strong couple, Sumarwata observed that the baby is a big hurdle for them to cross and intellectually she did not think they were on the same level.

[22] Sumarwata told TV Week writers Jackie Brygel and Erin Miller that Vanessa is not aware that Rhys is contemplating proposing to her.

[23] When her mother comes to visit, Vanessa is pleased that Lucas manages to win her approval, but her relief is short-lived when Francesca insists that they get married.

[24] Jackie Brygel from TV Week observed that Vanessa did not expect Lucas to agree to Francesca's demand, but he surprised her with his "willingness" to go along with a sham wedding.

"[14] In the lead up to the wedding, Vanessa struggles with her mother's expectations and she also fails to convince Father Guidotti (John Orcsik) that she wants to marry Lucas.

[25] During an interview with Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly in August 2013, Sumarwata's former co-star Sachin Joab revealed that she had been written out of Neighbours.

She said "For a couple that went through so much tragedy and heartache, it's so nice to see a happy ending for Lucas and Vanessa, and adding to their family which is growing rapidly.

Vanessa struggles with the idea of making their tenants, Lauren (Kate Kendall) and Matt Turner (Josef Brown) homeless.

Her first husband Alek Pocoli (Damian De Montemas) tells her they are still married and he gives Vanessa $100,000 for a quick annulment, meaning she and Lucas can keep Number 32.

The following day, Steph returns to apologise for her behaviour, but Vanessa tells that Toadie's belief is the only reason she has her job at the garage.

When asked by Jason Herbison of Inside Soap which new character viewers should be looking out for, Jasek chose Vanessa, saying she would take Erinsborough by storm.

[9] TV Week's soap critic Andrew Mercado branded Vanessa a "sexy chef", while Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun called her "a stone-cold fox".

She's sparkled her way into the hearts of the Ramsay Street residents, spreading happiness and sugary treats wherever she goes – and she's changed the lives of just about everyone she's met.

"[40] All About Soap's Carena Crawford opined that Vanessa and Lucas were a "mismatched pair" and she really did not think it was a good idea for them to get married.