19 Stars Who Were Pageant Queens (and Kings!) Before Becoming Famous

Mar. 15, 2025

Eva Longoria photographed as Miss Corpus Christi in 1998.Photo: Splash News Online

Vanessa Williams,Halle BerryandGal Gadotshare more than just striking looks.Before becoming household names, they were regular beauty queens on the pageant circuit who took home a tiara (or two!).Oprah Winfreyhas credited her early pageant days in the ‘70s with paving the way for her burgeoning talk-show career. EvenMatthew McConaugheyhas an adorable story about the time henearlybecame a pageant king himself.Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the journeys of these and other stars who once competed in pageants.

Vanessa Williams,Halle BerryandGal Gadotshare more than just striking looks.

Before becoming household names, they were regular beauty queens on the pageant circuit who took home a tiara (or two!).

Oprah Winfreyhas credited her early pageant days in the ‘70s with paving the way for her burgeoning talk-show career. EvenMatthew McConaugheyhas an adorable story about the time henearlybecame a pageant king himself.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the journeys of these and other stars who once competed in pageants.

01of 19Hannah BrownHannah Brown posing with a smile while wearing her Miss Alabama USA sash in 2018.WikimediaEven before her time onThe Bachelorette, things were coming up roses forHannah Brown, whowon Miss Alabama USAin 2018. Still, pageantry had its darker side too.“I had a director of a pageant [email] me a picture of another girl’s body and said, ‘I need you to look like this in your swimsuit before this time,’ " Brown said of the lasting effects of her pageant career during a 2021 appearance on the Facebook Watch showAt Home with the Robertsons. “It killed me; it really did. I would go a year without eating carbs.It really messed with me a lot, and I dealt with some anxiety and depression because of it.”

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Hannah Brown

Hannah Brown posing with a smile while wearing her Miss Alabama USA sash in 2018.Wikimedia

Even before her time onThe Bachelorette, things were coming up roses forHannah Brown, whowon Miss Alabama USAin 2018. Still, pageantry had its darker side too.

“I had a director of a pageant [email] me a picture of another girl’s body and said, ‘I need you to look like this in your swimsuit before this time,’ " Brown said of the lasting effects of her pageant career during a 2021 appearance on the Facebook Watch showAt Home with the Robertsons. “It killed me; it really did. I would go a year without eating carbs.It really messed with me a lot, and I dealt with some anxiety and depression because of it.”

02of 19Michelle PfeifferMichelle Pfeiffer watches an old video of a beauty pageant she competed in during ‘The View’ in June 2012.Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty"Hey, we all gotta start somewhere,“Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniastarMichelle Pfeifferjokedon Instagramwhile sharing a highlight reel in 2021 of her teen pageant days as Miss Orange County, where it was noted that the young starlet “would like to become an actress.” Her talents at the time? Oil painting and softball.

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Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer watches an old video of a beauty pageant she competed in during ‘The View’ in June 2012.Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

“Hey, we all gotta start somewhere,“Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniastarMichelle Pfeifferjokedon Instagramwhile sharing a highlight reel in 2021 of her teen pageant days as Miss Orange County, where it was noted that the young starlet “would like to become an actress.” Her talents at the time? Oil painting and softball.

03of 19Matthew McConaugheyYoung Matthew McConaughey posing with his Little Mr. Texas runner-up trophy.Matthew McConaughey/InstagramMcConaughey was (almost) a pageant KING!“For 43 years, I was Little Mr. Texas…until I wasn’t,” theInterstellaractor captioned an adorable carouselon Instagramin 2021, revealing a close-up of his prized “runner-up” trophy.

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Matthew McConaughey

Young Matthew McConaughey posing with his Little Mr. Texas runner-up trophy.Matthew McConaughey/Instagram

Matthew McConaughey/Instagram

McConaughey was (almost) a pageant KING!

“For 43 years, I was Little Mr. Texas…until I wasn’t,” theInterstellaractor captioned an adorable carouselon Instagramin 2021, revealing a close-up of his prized “runner-up” trophy.

04of 19Chelsea HandlerA young Chelsea Handler poses for a photo at the Miss Teen of America pageant.Chelsea Handler/InstagramComedianChelsea Handler’s pageant hair and electric-blue gown were serious business when she competed for Miss Teen of America.“My awkward phase came in my early 40s,” Handler wrote in the captionon Instagramalongside the nostalgic photo in September 2017. (Just months earlier, she had shared anotherthrowback snapof herself as a 14-year-old competing in the Miss Teen New Jersey Pageant, dressed as a businesswoman in bold red.)

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Chelsea Handler

A young Chelsea Handler poses for a photo at the Miss Teen of America pageant.Chelsea Handler/Instagram

ComedianChelsea Handler’s pageant hair and electric-blue gown were serious business when she competed for Miss Teen of America.

“My awkward phase came in my early 40s,” Handler wrote in the captionon Instagramalongside the nostalgic photo in September 2017. (Just months earlier, she had shared anotherthrowback snapof herself as a 14-year-old competing in the Miss Teen New Jersey Pageant, dressed as a businesswoman in bold red.)

05of 19Eva LongoriaEva Longoria photographed as Miss Corpus Christi in 1998.Splash News OnlineTexas-bornTelenovelastarEva Longoriagot her start as Miss Corpus Christi in 1998. Apart from being an ageless beauty, she went on to become a successful actress, most notably for her starring role onDesperate Housewives.

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Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria photographed as Miss Corpus Christi in 1998.Splash News Online

Texas-bornTelenovelastarEva Longoriagot her start as Miss Corpus Christi in 1998. Apart from being an ageless beauty, she went on to become a successful actress, most notably for her starring role onDesperate Housewives.

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Halle Berry

Halle Berry competing during the Miss USA pageant in 1986 as Miss Ohio.

Berry competed for Miss USA in 1986 (she was Miss Ohio) and just barely missed out on the crown, landing as first runner-up. As theAcademy Award-winning actressrecalled toWmagazinein 2016, her pageant past has quite a funny origin story.

She continued: “I ended up winning. And once you start winning these things it’s like a snowball. And you have to go to the next one, and if you [win] there, you go to the next one, and I kept winning all the way until the Miss USA pageant, where I did not win. I was first runner-up to Christy Fichtner. And that ended my beauty pageant career.”

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Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey named Miss Fire Prevention in her hometown of Nashville, Tenn., in 1971.REX/Shutterstock

After the DJ heard her speak on tape, Winfrey recalled, “I left the station that day with the biggest prize of all — my first job in broadcasting. I was 17 years old.”

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas competing in the Miss India World pageant in 2000.Gerry Penny/AFP/Getty

09of 19Vanessa WilliamsVanessa Williams posing after making history as the first Black woman to win Miss America in 1983.APIn addition to being named Miss Syracuse and Miss New York, Williams made history in 1983 as the first Black woman to win Miss America, but she later stepped down after a nude photo scandal.“For years, I’d walk into an audition and feel the judgment,” theactress-singer told PEOPLE in 2012,perEntertainment Weekly. “I was a scandalous Miss America. Vanessa the Undressa. But I silently thought, one day you’ll see what I’m made of.“Her journey came full circle: In 2015, the star waswelcomed back to judgethe pageant.

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Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams posing after making history as the first Black woman to win Miss America in 1983.AP

In addition to being named Miss Syracuse and Miss New York, Williams made history in 1983 as the first Black woman to win Miss America, but she later stepped down after a nude photo scandal.

“For years, I’d walk into an audition and feel the judgment,” theactress-singer told PEOPLE in 2012,perEntertainment Weekly. “I was a scandalous Miss America. Vanessa the Undressa. But I silently thought, one day you’ll see what I’m made of.”

Her journey came full circle: In 2015, the star waswelcomed back to judgethe pageant.

10of 19Gal GadotGal Gadot competing in the Miss Israel pageant in 2004.AFP/GettyGadot rose to fame when she won the part ofWonder Woman, but in 2004, she won a different title: Miss Israel.“At 18, I was approached to compete in Miss Israel. I thought, ‘That would be a nice experience.’ I never thought I would win!” theHeart of StoneactresstoldGlamourof winning the pageant in 2016.She added: “I was shocked when they crowned me; when I went to Miss Universe, I rebelled. I was afraid I might get picked again … I showed up late. I came without gowns. They tell you to come to breakfast in a gown. I was like, ‘No way am I having breakfast in a gown!’ "

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Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot competing in the Miss Israel pageant in 2004.AFP/Getty

Gadot rose to fame when she won the part ofWonder Woman, but in 2004, she won a different title: Miss Israel.

“At 18, I was approached to compete in Miss Israel. I thought, ‘That would be a nice experience.’ I never thought I would win!” theHeart of StoneactresstoldGlamourof winning the pageant in 2016.

She added: “I was shocked when they crowned me; when I went to Miss Universe, I rebelled. I was afraid I might get picked again … I showed up late. I came without gowns. They tell you to come to breakfast in a gown. I was like, ‘No way am I having breakfast in a gown!’ "

11of 19Lynda CarterLynda Carter photographed after winning Miss World USA in 1972.Bettmann/GettyAnother Wonder Woman who got her start in the pageant world,Lynda Carterwas named Miss World USA in 1972 after representing her home state of Arizona.

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Lynda Carter

Lynda Carter photographed after winning Miss World USA in 1972.Bettmann/Getty

Another Wonder Woman who got her start in the pageant world,Lynda Carterwas named Miss World USA in 1972 after representing her home state of Arizona.

12of 19Vanessa LacheyVanessa Lachey (left) pictured with her tiara and a bouquet after winning Miss Teen USA in 1998.Miss Universe Organization/APBefore she became aTRLhost or married former boy banderNick Lachey,Vanessa Lachey(née Minnillo)became the first-ever Miss Teen USA winner from South Carolina in 1998. Fun fact: She was also named Miss Congeniality.

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Vanessa Lachey

Vanessa Lachey (left) pictured with her tiara and a bouquet after winning Miss Teen USA in 1998.Miss Universe Organization/AP

Before she became aTRLhost or married former boy banderNick Lachey,Vanessa Lachey(née Minnillo)became the first-ever Miss Teen USA winner from South Carolina in 1998. Fun fact: She was also named Miss Congeniality.

13of 19Cybill ShepherdThree contestants — Marie Crawford, named Miss Personality; Cybill Shepherd, named Miss Congeniality; and Susan Elliam, named Miss Sportsmanship — each hold their trophies at the Miss Teenage America pageant.Bs/AP/REX/ShutterstockBefore hitting it big as an actress, Memphis, Tenn., nativeCybill Shepherdcompeted in the Miss Teenage America Pageant when she was 16 — and even earned the title of Miss Congeniality.

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Cybill Shepherd

Three contestants — Marie Crawford, named Miss Personality; Cybill Shepherd, named Miss Congeniality; and Susan Elliam, named Miss Sportsmanship — each hold their trophies at the Miss Teenage America pageant.Bs/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Before hitting it big as an actress, Memphis, Tenn., nativeCybill Shepherdcompeted in the Miss Teenage America Pageant when she was 16 — and even earned the title of Miss Congeniality.

14of 19Olivia CulpoOlivia Culpo of Rhode Island poses with her tiara and a bouquet after winning Miss USA 2012.Isaac Brekken/GettyStreet-style starOlivia Culporose to fame as Miss USA 2012 and went on to win Miss Universe the same year, becoming the first American to win the Miss Universe title since 1997. Culpo was named Miss Rhode Island before earning both titles. In 2021, shetoldGQthat she won the state title wearing a rented “$20 dress … with a hole in the back.”

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Olivia Culpo

Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island poses with her tiara and a bouquet after winning Miss USA 2012.Isaac Brekken/Getty

Street-style starOlivia Culporose to fame as Miss USA 2012 and went on to win Miss Universe the same year, becoming the first American to win the Miss Universe title since 1997. Culpo was named Miss Rhode Island before earning both titles. In 2021, shetoldGQthat she won the state title wearing a rented “$20 dress … with a hole in the back.”

15of 19Delta BurkeDelta Burke, then 17, poses with her city’s skyline after winning Miss Florida 1974.Pks/AP/REX/ShutterstockIn 1974, Delta Burke was named Miss Florida and went on to compete in the Miss America competition, where she reportedly won a talent scholarship.

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Delta Burke

Delta Burke, then 17, poses with her city’s skyline after winning Miss Florida 1974.Pks/AP/REX/Shutterstock

In 1974, Delta Burke was named Miss Florida and went on to compete in the Miss America competition, where she reportedly won a talent scholarship.

16of 19Ali LandryAli Landry adjusts her new crown after winning Miss USA 1996 in South Padre Island, Texas.Pat Sullivan/AP/REX/ShutterstockMiss Louisiana Teen USAAli Landrywent on to win Miss USA in 1996 and later competed in Miss Universe. Her pageant success propelled her into television stardom, particularly with a memorable Doritos commercial during the 1998 Super Bowl.

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Ali Landry

Ali Landry adjusts her new crown after winning Miss USA 1996 in South Padre Island, Texas.Pat Sullivan/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Miss Louisiana Teen USAAli Landrywent on to win Miss USA in 1996 and later competed in Miss Universe. Her pageant success propelled her into television stardom, particularly with a memorable Doritos commercial during the 1998 Super Bowl.

17of 19Diane SawyerDiane Sawyer (center) crowned America’s Junior Miss in the annual competition at Fort Whiting in 1963.Bettmann/GettyEsteemed journalistDiane Sawyerwas a revered beauty queen in 1963 when she was named America’s Junior Miss at age 17.

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Diane Sawyer

Diane Sawyer (center) crowned America’s Junior Miss in the annual competition at Fort Whiting in 1963.Bettmann/Getty

Esteemed journalistDiane Sawyerwas a revered beauty queen in 1963 when she was named America’s Junior Miss at age 17.

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Gretchen Carlson

Gretchen Carlson taking her victory walk after winning Miss America 1989.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

19of 19Selena GomezYoung Selena Gomez wearing white dress while posing with a pageant trophy, flower boquet and a gold tiara.Selena Gomez/XSelena Gomezgave us the cutest #ThrowbackThursday post in 2015 when she shared this Kodak moment of her as a pint-sized pageant queen.“Oh my … Talk about tbt,” theOnly Murders in the Buildingactress captioned the poston X(formerly Twitter), which shows the young star donning a big white gown while carrying her trophy and a flower bouquet.

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Selena Gomez

Young Selena Gomez wearing white dress while posing with a pageant trophy, flower boquet and a gold tiara.Selena Gomez/X

Selena Gomez/X

Selena Gomezgave us the cutest #ThrowbackThursday post in 2015 when she shared this Kodak moment of her as a pint-sized pageant queen.

“Oh my … Talk about tbt,” theOnly Murders in the Buildingactress captioned the poston X(formerly Twitter), which shows the young star donning a big white gown while carrying her trophy and a flower bouquet.

source: people.com