7 Stars You Forgot Were Beauty Pageant Winners

You may have forgotten that some of your favorite (and hottest) celebrity actresses got their start walking the stage in beauty pageants. Let’s take a look at their start and where they are now.

Vanessa Williams

Williams made history in 1983 as the first black woman to win Miss America, but she famously stepped down following a nude-photo leak. “For years, I’d walk into an audition and feel the judgment,” Williams told PEOPLE in 2012. “I was a scandalous Miss America. Vanessa the Undressa. But I silently thought, one day you’ll see what I’m made of.” And that they did. Williams went on to have a great acting and singing career. In 2015, she was even welcomed back to judge the pageant and the organization apologized for the way they treated her. 

Gal Gadot

 

Before she was kicking butt as Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot was crowned Miss Israel in 2004.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry just barely missed out on the crown, landing as first runner-up in the Miss USA contest in 1986. That’s ok because she went on to win an Academy Award and a long acting career. She did get to learn how to do the perfect wave.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 17: Actress Halle Berry poses in the press room at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)