This story first appeared in a special awards issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
At age 19, Sweden-born Anita Ekberg lost the Miss Universe crown -- but won a Universal contract. It was 1950, and the new Miss Sweden had flown to America to compete in the pageant. As one of six finalists, she scored a studio contract and, with Universal's push, became widely recognized as a pinup model, gracing the pages of fashion and men's magazines across the country. Brief screen appearances led to a role in Blood Alley alongside John Wayne and Lauren Bacall.
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