Niki Taylor Now and Other Supermodels Before the Fame

Screencap

Who Am I?

Screencap/Alexandra Glen / Featureflash

Kate Moss--NOW

Moss was discovered in 1988 at age 14--clearly with a face that was meant to be photographed. She's one of the most famous supermodels--from her early work with Calvin Klein to appearances as model and muse for practically every fashion designer and magazine on earth. She's also well-known for her forays into fashion design with British retailer Topshop and perfume lines.

Cindy Crawford young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Cindy Crawford young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Cindy Crawford—Now

Cindy Crawford may be beautiful, but she's no dummy. Before becoming a full-time model, she was the valedictorian of her high school and studied chemical engineering at Chicago's prestigious Northwestern University—on scholarship. She didn't stay in school very long, though, because the modeling thing was going so well. Like we said, she's smart. Here is Crawford's classic Pepsi commercial. According to a recent Tweet, she still has "those cutoffs". They probably still fit, too.

Jerry Hall Young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Jerry Hall Young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images for Montblanc

Jerry Hall—Now

Jerry Hall was already a successful supermodel when she married Mick Jagger on November 21, 1990. Of course, they had been together since the late '70s, as this segment from A Current Affair points out. Hall had four children with the Rolling Stones frontman, and will always be linked to him in the press, despite her many other accomplishments. Bonus video: check Hall's 1985 interview with David Letterman.

Christie Brinkley young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Christie Brinkley young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Christie Brinkley—Now

If you look up "aging well" in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Christie Brinkley. (Note: please don't do this, as "aging well" is not actually in the dictionary). At 61, Brinkley is still a supermodel—according to published reports, her contract with CoverGirl is the longest in cosmetics history. Did we mention that she's as gorgeous now as she was in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)? If you don't believe us, here's proof.

Cheryl Tiegs young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Cheryl Tiegs young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Bvlgari

Cheryl Tiegs—Now

Here's a shocker—Cheryl Tiegs is 67. How is that possible? Wasn't it only yesterday that Tiegs graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue? Actually, it was 1970—and 1975, and 1983. If you want to look at all of Tiegs' SI appearances, here is a video tribute. There are worse ways to spend a few minutes.

Linda evanglista young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Linda evanglista young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Versace for H&M

Linda Evangelista—Now

Back in 1990, supermodel Linda Evangelista was quoted as saying, "We don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day." (We think the price has gone up a bit since then.) According to Forbes Magazine, Evangelista's line was a watershed moment for the modeling industry. And this quote from Vogue magazine shows that Ms. Evangelista is also a realist—"I never forget where I would be if I hadn't been born with this face." That, dear reader, is what we like to call perspective.

Stephanie seymour young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Stephanie seymour young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Joe Corrigan/Getty Images

Stephanie Seymour—Now

Stephanie Seymour was one of the original Victoria's Secret Angels; her stunning lingerie shots helped make the brand a household name while Seymour herself became one of the biggest supermodels of the '80s and '90s. She's still a stunner, of course. Bonus video: here is a compilation of Seymour on the catwalk for Victoria's Secret and other top brands.

Christy Turlington young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Christy Turlington young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Christy Turlington—Now

Christy Turlington was reportedly discovered when a fashion photographer saw her on horseback when she was only 12 years old. She was just 17 when she starred in the video for Duran Duran's hit song "Notorious". Things have gone quite well for Turlington since then. In 2008, casting agent James Scully called her, "The greatest model of all time!" Turlington's most recent endeavor is more serious—she directed the maternal health documentary "No Woman, No Cry", which is on DVD.

Beverly johnson young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company

Beverly Johnson—Now

Beverly Johnson is more than just a pretty face—like fellow supermodel Cindy Crawford, Johnson was attending college on scholarship (pre-law) when she began her modeling career at the age of 17 (1971); her friends encouraged Johnson give it a shot. Turns out it was the right move—in 1974, Johnson became the first Black model to grace the cover of Vogue. She started her acting career soon afterwards, appearing in numerous films and TV shows. Johnson had her own docu-series on the Oprah Winfrey Network. "Beverly's Full House."

brooke shields young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

brooke shields young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Brooke Shields—Now

Here's something you might not know about Brooke Shields—she got her start in modeling when she was only 11 months old. (We said months. Not years.) In 1980, Shields began appearing in television ads for Calvin Klein Jeans; the ads were considered controversial because Shields was a minor and she was, well, pantsless. Shields graced the cover of Time Magazine the following year, and the mag reported that she was earning $10,000 a day. (This was almost a decade before Linda Evangelista's famous quote). Although she is known more for her successful acting career, Brooke Shields was indeed a supermodel in every sense of the word.

Kathy Ireland young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Kathy Ireland young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Kathy Ireland—Now

Kathy Ireland began her modeling career in the early '80s, making many appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In the '90s, she became an entrepreneur, which was clearly a good career movie—according to Ireland's web site, her company grosses over a billion dollars a year from a variety of products, of which Kathy earns "at least $15 million", according to Forbes. That's way better than $10,000 a day.

angie everhart young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

angie everhart young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, David Livingston/Getty Images

Angie Everhart—Now

You know how a lot of models say they used to be fat? That's often hard to believe, but here is photographic proof that Angie Everhart once had very big hair. Ms. Everhart started modeling at age 14 in Akron, Ohio. Luckily she was quickly whisked away to New York by a talent scout, and the rest is supermodel history.

brooklyn decker young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

brooklyn decker young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Brooklyn Decker—Now

Brooklyn Decker is just 27 years old, but is definitely a supermodel. She's gorgeous, has a budding acting career, and seems to have a sense of humor—her Twitter page features a pic of Ms. Decker picking her nose, and her tweets offer such gems as "There's a reindeer in my yard." Decker is married to Andy Roddick, who we hope knows how lucky he is.

Molly Sims young modeling photo before they were stars

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Molly Sims young modeling photo before they were stars 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images for La Mer

Molly Sims—Now

Molly Sims made several appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, one time wearing a $30 million bikini, which was remarkably skimpy, despite the high price tag. (It was made of diamonds). Sims' acting work includes the TV series Las Vegas (2003–2008), and she has her own jewelry line.

Niki Taylor young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

Niki Taylor young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Niki Taylor—Now

At 40, Niki Taylor is younger than many of the supermodels on our list, but a lot has happened to her since she was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She started modeling young, making the cover of Seventeen magazine when she was only 14 years old. She is the only spokesmodel under the age of 18 to sign with CoverGirl, and once had six billboards in Times Square at the same time. Taylor has a son, Rex Harrison Lamar, her second child with NASCAR driver hubby Burney Lamar.

rebecca romijn young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

rebecca romijn young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

Rebecca Romijn—Now

US Magazine recently said that, "At 41 years old, model and actress Rebecca Romijn has never looked better." Looking at the photo of her in a bikini, it's tough to disagree. Then again, the supermodel turned actress (and mother of twins), had a pretty cute smile back in the day.

tyra banks young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

tyra banks young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, Jamie McCarthy/Getty Image

Tyra Banks—Now

Tyra Banks. Wow. Like her hero Beverly Johnson, Tyra broke new ground by becoming the first Black woman to appear on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Tyra has found success as an actress, hosted her own daytime talk show, and created the mega-hit reality series America's Next Top Model. Tyra's post-supermodel success story is still being written, and we mean that literally; Ms. Banks recently published her first novel, Modelland, which she hopes will become an ongoing series of books.

amber valletta young high school yearbook photo

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

Who Am I?

amber valletta young high school yearbook photo 2011

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library, David Livingston/Getty Images

Amber Valetta—Now

Amber Valletta did well as a model, but quickly jumped into acting, appearing in a number of films, including The Spy Next Door (2010), starring Jackie Chan and Billy Ray Cyrus. She works with the group Oceana to increase awareness of mercury poisining, and even has an Internet virus named after her—the Amber Valletta Trojan. We didn't get to ask her, but we imagine she's a lot more proud of the former than the latter.