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5 Models Discovered Through Chance Encounters

Unlikely discoveries include McDonald's outings and pollinating corn.

ByABC News
July 11, 2014, 4:42 AM

— -- 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.

PHOTO: Pamela Anderson attends a Gala Dinner during the 60th Taormina Film Fest at Hotel Imperiale on June 18, 2014 in Taormina, Italy.
Pamela Anderson attends a Gala Dinner during the 60th Taormina Film Fest at Hotel Imperiale on June 18, 2014 in Taormina, Italy.

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.

PHOTO: Gisele Bundchen attends the 2014 Rainforest Alliance Gala at the American Museum of Natural History on May 7, 2014 in New York City.
Gisele Bundchen attends the 2014 Rainforest Alliance Gala at the American Museum of Natural History on May 7, 2014 in New York City.

World Cup Fan Scores Modeling Gig From Cheering

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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.

PHOTO: Cindy Crawford attends the premiere of "Return To Zero" at the Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot on May 1, 2014 in Hollywood, Calif.
Cindy Crawford attends the premiere of "Return To Zero" at the Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios lot on May 1, 2014 in Hollywood, Calif.

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.

PHOTO: Kate Moss arrives for a dinner to celebrate the work of The Royal Marsden hosted by the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle on May 13, 2014 in Windsor, England.
Kate Moss arrives for a dinner to celebrate the work of The Royal Marsden hosted by the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle on May 13, 2014 in Windsor, England.

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.

PHOTO: Actress Natalie Portman attends closing and award ceremony of 17th Shanghai International Film Festival at Shanghai Grand Theatre on June 22, 2014 in Shanghai, China.
Actress Natalie Portman attends closing and award ceremony of 17th Shanghai International Film Festival at Shanghai Grand Theatre on June 22, 2014 in Shanghai, China.