The Texas-born Telenovela star got her start as Miss Corpus Christi in 1998.
The Academy Award winner competed for Miss USA in 1986 (she was Miss Ohio) and just barely missed out on the crown, landing as first runner-up.
The doors to Winfrey’s storied TV career were opened by her Miss Black Tennessee win — and Miss Black America entry — in 1972.
The Quantico star has been a fixture in the Indian film industry for years, but she got her start as Miss India — eventually going on to win Miss World in 2000 (no biggie).
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.” The experience came full circle: In 2015, the star was welcomed back to judge the pageant.
Gadot exploded onto the scene when she won the part of Wonder Woman, but back in 2004, she won a different title: Miss Israel.
Another Wonder Woman who got her start in the pageant world, Carter was named Miss World USA in 1972 after striking it big in her home state of Arizona.
Before she became a TRL host or married a boy bander, Vanessa Minnillo was the first-ever Miss Teen USA winner from South Carolina, in 1998. Fun fact: She was also named Miss Congeniality.
Before she hit it big with acting, the Memphis native competed in the Miss Teenage America Pageant when she was 16, and even scored the title of Miss Congeniality.
The street style star rose to fame as Miss USA 2012. She went on to win Miss Universe the same year — the first American winner since 1997.
In 1974, Burke was named Miss Florida, and went on to compete in the Miss America competition, at which she reportedly won a talent scholarship.
The Miss Louisiana Teen USA went on to win Miss USA in 1996 and later compete in Miss Universe. The pageant success propelled her into television stardom — particularly with a memorable Doritos commercial during the 1998 Super Bowl.
The revered journalist was a revered beauty queen in 1963, when she was named America’s Junior Miss at age 17.
HALLE BERRY
The Academy Award winner competed for Miss USA in 1986 (she was Miss Ohio) and just barely missed out on the crown, landing as first runner-up.
OPRAH WINFREY
The doors to Winfrey’s storied TV career were opened by her Miss Black Tennessee win — and Miss Black America entry — in 1972.
PRIYANKA CHOPRA
The Quantico star has been a fixture in the Indian film industry for years, but she got her start as Miss India — eventually going on to win Miss World in 2000 (no biggie).
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.” The experience came full circle: In 2015, the star was welcomed back to judge the pageant.
GAL GADOT
Gadot exploded onto the scene when she won the part of Wonder Woman, but back in 2004, she won a different title: Miss Israel.
LYNDA CARTER
Another Wonder Woman who got her start in the pageant world, Carter was named Miss World USA in 1972 after striking it big in her home state of Arizona.
VANESSA LACHEY
Before she became a TRL host or married a boy bander, Vanessa Minnillo was the first-ever Miss Teen USA winner from South Carolina, in 1998. Fun fact: She was also named Miss Congeniality.
CYBILL SHEPHERD
Before she hit it big with acting, the Memphis native competed in the Miss Teenage America Pageant when she was 16, and even scored the title of Miss Congeniality.
OLIVIA CULPO
The street style star rose to fame as Miss USA 2012. She went on to win Miss Universe the same year — the first American winner since 1997.
DELTA BURKE
In 1974, Burke was named Miss Florida, and went on to compete in the Miss America competition, at which she reportedly won a talent scholarship.
ALI LANDRY
The Miss Louisiana Teen USA went on to win Miss USA in 1996 and later compete in Miss Universe. The pageant success propelled her into television stardom — particularly with a memorable Doritos commercial during the 1998 Super Bowl.