Celebrities get their careers started in all kinds of different ways. Here's a list of stars that were beauty queens before they got their big break.

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Before becoming a talk show host, Kathie Lee Gifford was Miss Maryland in America's Junior Miss Pageant.

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A little surprising Carrie Underwood came in 2nd in the Miss NSU beauty pageant.

However, we're not surprised that she won the talent portion with a rendition of the song 'Cold Day in July'.

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In 1988, Eva Longoria won the title of Miss Corpus Christi in her hometown.

The title included a prize to go to Los Angeles to compete in a talent show, which she later turned in to her big break.

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Catwoman and Oscar winner Michelle Pfeiffer.

She was Miss Orange County in 1978.

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As a teenager, Debra Messing was a beauty pageant veteran.

In 1986, she won Rhode Island's Junior Miss, the year she turned 18.

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At 17, Oprah Winfrey won Miss Black Tennessee, which attracted the attention of a local radio station who hired her to do the news part-time.

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ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer proves beauty and brains can mix when she was America's Junior Miss.

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Oscar winner Halle Berry was Miss Ohio USA in 1986 and was 1st runner up the Miss USA competition.

She later became the first African-American to represent the United States in the Miss World competition where she finished 6th.

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Actress Kelly Hu was Miss Hawaii USA, Miss Hawaii Teen USA, and Miss Teen USA and 4th at the Miss USA competition.

She was awarded Miss Photogenic at the Miss USA competition by the judges.

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Before popping out chart topping hits, Vanessa Williams was the reigning Miss America.

She was later stripped of the title after nude pictures of her were published in 'Penthouse' magazine.

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