18 Iconic Women Whose Careers Began As Beauty Queens

Published on 08/18/2021
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Now: Lee Meriwether

The classic beauty appeared on The Today Show as part of NBC’s channel as a “Today Girl”, a role which she maintained for a year between 1955 and 1956. Her film career began in 1959 when she starred in 4D Man. She would continue to be presented with minor roles in various television shows until 1966, when she played Catwoman in Batman. Meriwether has continued acting all the way up to modern times with a respectably long career.

NOW Lee Meriwether

NOW Lee Meriwether

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Then: Vanessa Lachey

This Filipina-American beauty was born Vanessa Joy Minnillo in Angeles City, Philippines. Her father’s job in the Air Force meant that Vanessa moved around the world frequently during her childhood. She lived in Nevada, Japan, Washington, Germany, California, and Florida. Her family eventually settled for some time in California. Vanessa would take the Miss South Carolina Teen USA title in 1998, and in the same year won Miss Teen USA. She was the first young woman to do so from South Carolina.

THEN Vanessa Lachey

THEN Vanessa Lachey

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