From beauty queens to celebrities. Before hitting it big and before earning the big bucks, they were just like the rest of us ordinary folk with dreams. Before venturing into the entertainment industry , these stars got noticed by competing in beauty pageants. Most of these beauties did not just partake in beauty pageants but they actually won titles. We’ve done a little digging, and found out which famous celebs have spent part of their youth participating in Beauty Pageants.

1. Pearl Modiadei- Growing up, Pearl took part in pageants because her sister thought she’d win and she did!

2. Nonhle Thema-  In 2001, Nonhle was  crowned as the first Miss Allenby Campus beauty queen. She was 18 years of age.

3. Minenhle Dlamini- Minnie Dlamini was crowned Little Miss SA in 2002.

4. Basetsana Kumalo- Basetsana Kumalo is former Miss Soweto and Miss Black South Africa and was crowned Miss SA in 1994. She became the first runner-up in Miss World in the same year.

5. Cynthia Shange- She started modelling in 1970 and won several titles. In 1972, Miss Cynthis Shange was crowned Miss South Africa. She was the first Black beauty queen to represent South Africa at Miss World

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