Famous People Who Started Their Careers As Beauty Queens

NOW: Vanessa Williams

Having left the pageant world behind, Vanessa went on to have a tremendously successful career in television, collecting nominations for Emmys and SAG awards along the way. One of her most memorable performances was as Wilhelmina Slater, the fashion queen who people adored to despise on the television show Ugly Betty.

NOW Vanessa Williams

THEN: Sarah Palin

She won the Miss Wasilla pageant in 1984 and went on to compete in the Miss Alaska beauty pageant, where she finished third overall. She was the future Governor of Alaska.

THEN Sarah Palin