For the past several decades, there have been several beauty pageants that take place all over the world. But this week, all eyes will turn to the United States for Miss America. The pageant was originally founded in September 1921, so this year effectively marks the pageant’s 100-year anniversary. Over the course of its history, several famous faces have participated in the Miss America pageant. But the pageant world is so much bigger than you might think.
In fact, there are quite a few famous faces in Hollywood who got their start on the pageant circuit. Among those marquee names: Oscar winner Halle Berry, who competed in a number of pageants in her home state of Ohio as a teen and young woman before landing her very first movie role, in Spike Lee’s 1991 film Jungle Fever. Among the titles she won prior to her big break, she was crowned Miss Ohio in 1986.
Michelle Pfeiffer was also a pageant queen back in the day. Before she earned countless accolades and awards recognition for her work as an actress, Pfeiffer competed on the pageant circuit in California. Now, you might be just a little bit curious to know who else got their start on the pageant scene before they made it big in Hollywood. So before the Miss America pageant on December 16, take a look at our list of famous faces who got their start in pageants.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry might actually be one of the most well-known stars to get her start in beauty pageants. She won Miss Teen All American in 1985, Miss Ohio in 1986, and also competed in Miss World and Miss USA, the latter of which she placed as first runner-up.
Lynda Carter
In 1972, Lynda Carter made her mark when she was crowned Miss World USA. Just a few short years later, Carter earned the lead role in the original Wonder Woman series — basically trading one crown for another and adding the Lasso of Truth. Not bad!
Michelle Pfeiffer
Before she was a three-time Academy Award nominated actress, Michelle Pfeiffer dabbled in the beauty pageant circuit. She was crowned Miss Orange County in 1978, and participated in Miss California that same year.
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams ruled the pageant world in the ’80s. She was crowned Miss Syracuse and Miss New York in 1983. In 1984, Williams was named Miss America. She became the first African American woman to receive the crown.
Before her reign ended, however, unauthorized nude photos of Williams were published by Penthouse magazine, forcing Williams to relinquish her crown to the first runner-up. In 2015, Williams received a formal apology from the Miss America CEO for the events that transpired in 1984.
Since then, Williams has enjoyed a music and acting career. She memorably appeared on the ABC series Ugly Betty, for which she earned three Emmy nominations.
Chelsea Handler
This entry might surprise you, but it’s true! Chelsea Handler did a few beauty pageants when she was a teen, even participating in the Miss Teen New Jersey Pageant when she was 14 years old. Don’t believe us? See the throwback photo she posted to Instagram here.
Gal Gadot
Just like Lynda Carter, who originated the role of Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot also participated in beauty pageants. She represented her country as Miss Israel during the Miss Universe pageant in 2004.
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh is an absolute living legend of the silver screen. But as it turns out, she’s also kind of a beauty pageant legend, too. Yeoh was crowned Miss Malaysia in 1983 when she was just 20 years old. She also won Queen of the Pacific and Miss Moomba, the latter of which took place during a multicultural arts festival in Melbourne, Australia. From there, she represented Malaysia during the Miss Universe competition.
Vanessa Lachey
Vanessa Lachey also boasts quite a few pageant titles to her name. She was crowned Miss Teen USA in 1998, Miss USA, and Miss South Carolina Teen.
Oprah Winfrey
Decades before she built her empire, Oprah Winfrey was the 17-year-old winner of a beauty pageant. Winfrey was crowned Miss Black Tennessee in the very early ’70s before she started her decades long career in media.
Olivia Culpo
Olivia Culpo is very well known in the pageant world. Her rise to fame began in the early 2010s, earning crowns in pageants such as Miss Rhode Island USA 2012 and Miss USA 2012. While representing the USA at the 2012 Miss Universe pageant, Culpo was crowned the winner.
Priyanka Chopra
We all know that Priyanka Chopra is a huge international star. But did you know she got her start in pageants, too? Back in 2000, the actress was crowned Miss World.
Britney Spears
Long before her Disney days, Britney Spears also competed in local pageants. She was just 3 years old when she started participating in the pageant circuit.
Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria was also a pageant queen. She was crowned Miss Corpus Christi in 1998.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez surprised her fans back in February 2015, when she shared a throwback photo of a tiny Selena competing in a beauty pageant! Don’t believe us? See the snapshot here.
Diane Sawyer
Diane Sawyer is known for her work as a journalist, but long before she was relaying current events to the country, Sawyer was crowned America’s Junior Miss back in 1962.
Leave a Comment