How 12 Women Who Started Their Career With Beauty Queen Title Looked Then and Now

Once upon a tiara, women dazzled as beauty queens on stage, but their stories didn’t end there. Some dived into totally different lives, becoming businesswomen, leaders, or doing other impactful things. On the flip side, some beauty queens stuck to the limelight, becoming famous faces on screens big and small. Think acting, hosting, or ruling social media — these queens found their groove in the world of fame. And guess what? Some of today’s big-shot celebrities started as beauty queens. The crown was just their first step into a world of acting, singing, and making a difference beyond the runway.

1. Vanessa Williams

2. Sushmita Sen

3. Halle Berry

4. Megan Young

5. Zuleyka Rivera

6. Ksenia Sukhinova

7. Alicia Machado

8. Pia Wurtzbach

9. Rolene Strauss

10. Hika Nakazawa

11. Lynda Carter

12. Azra Akin

So, from beauty queen to boss lady or media sensation, these women show that life’s journey can take unexpected turns, and there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. Like this Thai beauty queen who wears evening gown made of can-pull tabs to honor her parents. They’re rewriting the rules and inspiring others to do the same.