Mila Kunis first started acting in commercials and print ads. Despite her modeling career being short-lived, her commercial work helped her to land her first big acting gig. She made appearances in shows like “Days of Our Lives,” “Baywatch” and “7th Heaven” before making the transition into film.
At just 14 years old, Kunis landed the role of Jacki Burkhart on “That ‘70s Show,” changing her life forever. Since then she has become a major celebrity, starring in films like “Bad Moms,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” and “Black Swan.”
Kim Basinger
After getting her start in pageantry, Kim Basinger snagged a modeling contract and appeared in hundreds of ads. Despite making an average of $1,000 a day, Basinger didn't enjoy modeling. She was exhausted by the constant focus on her appearance and quit after just five years. It was then that she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.
After making small appearances in shows like “McMillan & Wife” and “Charlie's Angels,” Basinger got roles in “Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold,” “9 ½ Weeks,” “Batman" and even became a Bond Girl in “Never Say Never Again.”
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston is known for her incredible voice, but few know she got her start as a model. In the early ‘80s, she appeared in teen magazines like Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Young Miss. Houston made history when she appeared on the cover of Seventeen. Eventually, she began singing backup and lead vocals on tracks for other artists, and as they say, the rest is history.
Houston’s first recorded song was a duet with Teddy Pendergrass titled "Hold Me." Her debut album was released the following year. She soon became an international household name. Years after her death, Houston remains an idol.
Victoria Beckham
Before she was a Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham went to school to study acting and modeling. She was inspired by the movie “Fame,” deciding right then and there that she was going to shoot for stardom. As it turned out though, modeling wasn’t her thing and she decided to pursue music instead.
In 1994, Beckham responded to an ad for girls who could sing and dance and nailed the audition. She became a Spice Girl, encouraging “Girl Power” all over the world. Beckham later recorded a solo album and started her own fashion label as well, adding to her multi-million dollar empire.
Reese Witherspoon
Before Reese Witherspoon was tearing up the big screen, she was a child model. At just 7 years old she was chosen to model for a local florist’s ads in Tennessee. The experience inspired her to attend an acting school, which proved to be a good call.
She starred in her first film, “The Man In The Moon,” and never looked back. Her reputation steadily rose. Witherspoon is best known for her roles in “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” Most recently, she has been doing work behind the camera as a producer for her many different projects.