5 Models Discovered Through Chance Encounters
Unlikely discoveries include McDonald's outings and pollinating corn.
— -- With the sudden fame of the “Hot Felon” and Axelle Desiegelaere, the Belgian soccer fan who landed a L’Oreal modeling contract after photos of her cheering at the World Cup went viral, it may be a fitting time to look back at other famous faces whose modeling careers came about by chance.
A 22-year-old Pamela Anderson was scouted after being featured on the Jumbotron at a B.C. Lions football game wearing a cutoff Labatt’s Beer t-shirt. She attracted so much attention that Labatt eventually hired her as a spokesmodel before Anderson began her famous Playboy career.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/gty_pamela_anderson_kb_140710.jpg)
Gisele Bundchen was discovered at the age of 14 while eating at McDonald's on a school field trip to Sao Paolo. At 16 she appeared on the cover of a Brazilian teen magazine.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/gty_gisele_bundchen_kb_140710.jpg)
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Cindy Crawford got her start when a passing newspaper photographer took a picture of her as she pollinated corn on a farm in Illinois. The picture received so much positive feedback that Crawford then entered John Casablanca’s "Look of the Year Contest" in 1982, which launched her career.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/gty_cindy_crawford_kb_140710.jpg)
Kate Moss was discovered at the age of 14 at JFK airport in New York City. Moss appeared on the cover of a British magazine a year later.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/gty_kate_moss_kb_140710.jpg)
Eleven-year-old Natalie Portman was eating at a Long Island pizzeria when a Revlon talent scout spotted her. The young Portman soon decided she would rather pursue a career in acting.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/gty-natalie_portman_kb_140710.jpg)