From The Pageant Stage To Hollywood

Beauty pageants are often seen as stepping stones for aspiring models, but many celebrities who are now household names also got their start in these competitions. From Academy Award-winning actresses to music icons, these stars once walked the stage in hopes of winning a crown and one of the top titles in the world of pageantry.

Oprah Winfrey

Before becoming the queen of talk shows, Oprah Winfrey competed in beauty pageants. She won Miss Black Tennessee in 1971, showcasing her poise and talent early in her career.

Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Halle Berry

Halle Berry, known for her Oscar-winning performances, was once a beauty queen. She was the first African-American contestant in the Miss World competition in 1986, where she placed sixth.

PA Images, Getty Images

Diane Sawyer

Legendary journalist Diane Sawyer won the America’s Junior Miss pageant in 1963. This early success led her to a career in broadcasting, where she became one of the most respected names in news.

Bettmann, Getty Images

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams made history as the first African-American woman to win the Miss America title in 1983. Despite the controversy that followed, she went on to have a successful career in music and acting.

Bettmann, Getty Images

Eva Longoria

Before becoming a household name as Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria was crowned Miss Corpus Christi USA in 1998. This title helped launch her career in Hollywood.

Web Summit, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra, now a global star, won the Miss World title in 2000. This win catapulted her into the spotlight, leading to a successful career in Bollywood and Hollywood.

Joan Hernandez Mir, Flickr

Gal Gadot

Before wielding the lasso of truth as Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot was crowned as a pageant queen in 2004. She competed in the Miss Universe pageant later that year.

Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Meghan Markle

Long before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle participated in the Miss Teen USA pageant as a teenager. Although she didn’t win, the experience was a stepping stone in her career.

Office of the Governor-General, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone’s journey to fame began on the pageant stage. She won Miss Crawford County in Pennsylvania and later competed in the Miss Pennsylvania pageant.

Roland Godefroy, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kathie Lee Gifford

Kathie Lee Gifford, known for her years on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, was once a pageant girl. She competed in the Maryland state pageant and was named Maryland’s Junior Miss in 1970.

Movieguide, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer’s stunning looks were first recognized in beauty pageants. She won Miss Orange County in 1978 and later competed in the Miss California pageant, where she placed sixth.

Andrea Raffin, Shutterstock

Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman, an Academy Award-winning actress, was crowned Miss Chicago in 1946. She went on to compete in the Miss America pageant, where she was a semi-finalist.

Voice Chasers, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Delta Burke

Delta Burke, best known for her role in Designing Women, was crowned Miss Florida in 1974. Her pageant success led her to a career in television.

Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

Ali Landry

Ali Landry is often remembered as the “Doritos Girl” from the 1998 Super Bowl commercial, but she was also Miss USA 1996. Her pageant win opened doors to a modeling and acting career.

AFP, Getty Images

Kourtney Kardashian

While not as widely known, Kourtney Kardashian also dabbled in pageants. She competed in the Miss California pageant as a teen, although she didn’t place.

Naser Chawroka, Flickr

Britney Spears

Before becoming a pop icon, Britney Spears participated in several local pageants in her hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana. Her stage presence and charisma were evident even then.

Tinseltown, Shutterstock

Vanna White

Wheel of Fortune hostess Vanna White competed in the Miss Georgia USA pageant in the late 1970s. While she didn’t win, the experience helped her pursue a career in television.

celebrityabc, Flickr

Kim Basinger

Oscar-winning actress Kim Basinger was once crowned Athens Junior Miss in her home state of Georgia. This early win was a stepping stone to her modeling and acting career.

Roland Godefroy, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Lee Meriwether

Lee Meriwether, best known as one of the actresses to play Catwoman in the 1960s Batman series, won the Miss America title in 1955. Her pageant win launched her into the entertainment industry.

Leslie Gottlieb, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Vanessa Lachey

Before becoming a television host and actress, Vanessa Lachey won Miss Teen USA in 1998. This title helped her break into the entertainment world.

DFree, Shutterstock

Lucy Lawless

Known for her role as Xena in Xena: Warrior Princess, Lucy Lawless was crowned Miss New Zealand in 1989. This win helped her gain early attention in the acting world.

Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Demi Lovato

Before her Disney Channel days, Demi Lovato competed in beauty pageants as a child. These early experiences helped her develop the confidence to perform on stage.

lev radin, Shutterstock

Justin Timberlake

Yes, even Justin Timberlake has a pageant past! He participated in a local pageant in Tennessee as a child, showing off his singing talents long before his NSYNC days.

Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Tiffani Thiessen

Tiffani Thiessen, best known for her role on Saved by the Bell, was crowned Miss Junior America in 1987. This title was a significant stepping stone in her acting career.

Tinseltown, Shutterstock

Lynda Carter

Lynda Carter, the original Wonder Woman, was Miss World USA in 1972. Her pageant success led her to Hollywood, where she became an iconic superhero.

Evening Standard, Getty Images

Maria Menounos

Maria Menounos, a television host and actress, competed in the Miss Massachusetts Teen USA pageant in 1996. Although she didn’t win, the experience helped her break into the entertainment industry.

DVSROSS, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Joan Van Ark

Joan Van Ark, known for her role on Knots Landing, competed in the Miss Colorado pageant as a teenager. Her pageant experience helped her develop the poise that would later define her acting career.

RavenU, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Leanza Cornett

Leanza Cornett won the Miss America title in 1993. She used her platform to advocate for AIDS awareness, later transitioning to a successful career in television.

Joseph Sohm, Shutterstock

Gretchen Carlson

Before becoming a well-known television personality, Gretchen Carlson was Miss America 1989. Her pageant win was a significant stepping stone to her career in broadcasting.

Brigitte Lacombe, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Olivia Culpo

Olivia Culpo, who has become a fashion influencer and actress, was Miss Universe 2012. Her pageant success opened many doors in the entertainment industry.

U.S. Embassy, Jakarta, Flickr

Candace Cameron Bure

Candace Cameron Bure, known for her role as DJ Tanner on Full House, competed in a few local pageants as a child. These early experiences helped her gain confidence in front of the camera.

Gage Skidmore. Flickr

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay, best known for her role on Law & Order: SVU, was crowned Miss Beverly Hills USA in 1982. Her pageant win helped launch her acting career.

Joella Marano, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Brooke Burns

Baywatch star Brooke Burns competed in several local pageants as a teenager. These experiences helped her break into modeling and acting.

Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

Katharine McPhee

Before her American Idol fame, Katharine McPhee competed in the Miss Teen USA pageant. Although she didn’t win, the experience helped her develop her stage presence.

Justin Higuchi, Flickr

Summer Sanders

Olympic gold medalist Summer Sanders was also a pageant competitor. She won Miss California Teen USA in 1989, proving she was as poised on stage as she was in the pool.

JD Lasica, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sarah Palin

Before her political career, Sarah Palin competed in the Miss Alaska pageant in 1984, where she was crowned runner-up. This early experience in the public eye prepared her for a career in politics.

Gage Skidmore, Flickr

Mary Hart

Before becoming a television legend, Mary Hart was Miss South Dakota in 1970. Her pageant win helped her break into broadcasting.

The Heart Truth, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kellie Pickler

Country music star Kellie Pickler competed in several pageants before her American Idol fame. Her pageant experience helped her develop the poise and confidence she’s known for today.

Jazills, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Eva LaRue

All My Children star Eva LaRue competed in the Miss California pageant in the 1980s. Although she didn’t win, the experience helped launch her acting career.

Manfred Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sophia Bush

Actress Sophia Bush, best known for her role on One Tree Hill, competed in local pageants as a child. These early experiences helped her develop the confidence to pursue an acting career.

Collision Conf, Flickr

From Pageants To Stardom

While beauty pageants may seem like a world away from Hollywood’s glitz and glamor, they have been pivotal in shaping the careers of many of today's celebrities. These competitions provided a platform for these stars to showcase their talent, poise, and confidence, helping them to stand out in the competitive entertainment industry. Whether they won crowns or simply gained experience, their time on the pageant stage undeniably contributed to their journey to stardom. So remember: The next time you watch a beauty pageant, you might just be seeing the future stars of tomorrow.

Chinomoreira, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons