Miss Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo WurtzbachEthan Miller/Getty Images
On Sunday, Sept. 11, 52 ladies from all over the country will compete for the crown of Miss America 2017. The 96th annual pageant will be held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ and broadcast by ABC .
After preliminary interviews, the televised portion of the competion will consist of five judged categories - Composite, Swimsuit , Evening wear, Talent and the Final Question. Celebrity judges this year include Mark Cuban, Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, Disney star Laura Marano, country star Cole Swindell and actress Sara Foster.
Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell, Miss Georgia 2015, is scheduled to crown her successor at the end of the event.
While the 2017 beauty queen contestants aren't household names quite yet, many of Hollywood's A-List stars started their careers in the pageant world. So, in anticipation of America's big night, check out the slide show above to see which of your favorite celebrities once vyed for a crown.
Before starring in blockbuster movies such as "Billy Madison" and "The Wedding Planner," Bridgette Wilson-Sampras was crowned Miss Teen USA in 1990.
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesAt age 17, the "Designing Women" star was named 1974 Miss Florida and later represented her state in the annual Miss America pageant. LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty ImagesThe former host of "Entertainment Tonight" was Miss South Dakota in 1970.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesThe iconic TV actress competed in the Miss America pageant as Miss Chicago in 1946.
ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty ImagesShe went on to win "American Idol" in 2005 but two years earlier she was 1st Runner Up in the Miss Northeastern State University competition.Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesThe actress, who has appeared on "The O.C.," "Star Trek: Voyager," and "Boston Public" was crowded Miss Illinois in 1989.Jason Kirk/Getty ImagesBefore sipping wine with Hoda Kotb on "Today," the morning host represented Maryland at the 1970 America's Junior Miss pageant.Evan Agostini/Getty ImagesThe ‘60s sex symbol got her start winning the La Jolla Beauty Competition in 1955.Stefan Zaklin/Getty ImagesThe three-time Golden Globe won the 1966 Miss Teenage Memphis contest. Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesBefore she was the “Saved by the Bell” good girl and the "Beverly Hills, 90210" bad girl, the actress competed for Miss Junior America back in 1987.Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesThe accomplished journalist won the America's Junior Miss pageant in 1963 and used $11,000 prize money to pay for her first year at Wellesley College.Scott Wintrow/Getty ImagesIn 1972, Wonder Woman reigned as Miss World USA. Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesAs Miss Wasilla, the former Governor of Alaska and candidate for Vice President placed third in the 1894 Miss Alaska pageant.Larry Busacca/Getty ImagesWe've narrowed down some of Oprah's favorite things this 2021.Mike Windle/Getty ImagesAs Miss India, the future "Quantico" star, Priyanka Chopra, went on to be crowned Miss World 2000 and Miss World Continental Queen of Beauty—Asia & Oceania.Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesVanna White Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for AHAThe sexy star was crowned Miss Crawford County in 1975. Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesBest known as "Xena: Warrior Princess," Lucy Lawless was named Miss New Zealand in 1989. Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesThe A-List actress was crowed Miss Orange County in 1978.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesAt the age of 17, the "Chicago P.D." star was named the Tournament of Roses Parade Queen in Pasadena. Slaven Vlasic/Getty ImagesThe reality star, who appeared on MTV's " Meet the Barkers" and Vh1's "Hollywood Exes" was crowned Miss USA in 1995.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesKelly Hu J.Sciulli/WireImage for H & S MediaOriginally Miss New York 1983, Vanessa went on to become the first African-American woman to win the title of Miss America when she was crowned Miss America 1984. Several weeks before the end of her reign, however, a scandal arose when Penthouse magazine bought and published unauthorized nude photographs of her. Vanessa was forced to relinquish her title but thirty-two years later,she served as head judge for the Miss America 2016 pageant. Dave Kotinsky/Getty ImagesBefore marrying Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees, the then Miss South Carolina, Vanessa Minnillo, was named Miss Teen USA in 1998.Evan Agostini/Getty ImagesBefore her big break as the hot "Doritos" girl, the actress was not only crowned Miss Louisiana Teen USA in 1990, but she was also a semifinalist at MIss Teen USA 1990. She then went on to win both Miss Louisiana USA and Miss USA in 1996.MISS UNIVERSE/ho/AFP/Getty Images Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesThe gorgeous brunette is one of the most famous beauty queens today. After winning the 2012 Miss Rhode Island USA competition, she went on to win the Miss USA 2012 pageant, where she met now ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas who was a judge. Olivia was then crowned Miss Universe. David Becker/Getty ImagesBefore she was an Oscar-winning actress, Halle was a a beauty queen several times. She won Miss Teen All American in 1985 and Miss Ohio USA in 1986.Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesIt's no surprise that this gorgeous "Desperate Housewives" star has a beauty queen past. Eva was crowned Miss Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1998.Kevin Winter/Getty Images
