According to Biography, Vergara was discovered for the first time on a beach by a photographer who asked to take her picture. Her very first gig? It was in a Latin American Pepsi commercial. Interestingly enough, the spot was filmed on a beach, with Vergara braving hot sand — and eventually taking her clothes off to step on and protect her feet — to get to a coveted Pepsi (via YouTube). According to Business Insider, the sexy star was only 17 when the commercial was filmed.

Despite landing the huge opportunity, according to Screenrant, Vergara still studied dentistry at the University of Colombia for another two years before leaving school to pursue a modeling career. "I didn't want to be an actress," she told the New York Daily News about her life's trajectory in 2008, adding, "I wanted to be a dentist, but you never know what life will bring you. But I can't complain, I'm happy with what I've achieved." And as far as what she's achieved, well, let's just say she doesn't need dental school to fall back on.