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Shanna Moakler Biography: Pageant Winner, Actress and Television Personality

Shanna Moakler Biography: Pageant Winner, Actress and Television Personality

Shanna Moakler is an American actress, model, beauty pageant titleholder, producer, and television personality. She became widely known after winning Miss New York USA in 1995 and later taking over the Miss USA title when the original winner, Chelsi Smith, became Miss Universe.

Moakler went on to build a career in television, film, modeling, hosting, and reality programming. She is also involved in the pageant industry and has worked as an executive director connected to the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Utah USA organizations.

Who Is Shanna Moakler?

Shanna Lynn Moakler was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and began modeling as a teenager. Her early success in beauty pageants opened the door to work in television, acting, fashion, and entertainment.

She became a familiar face through appearances in scripted shows, reality series, celebrity programs, and entertainment broadcasts. Her best-known television projects include Pacific Blue, Meet the Barkers, Hollywood Exes, Bridalplasty, and Dancing with the Stars.

Although much of the public knows her through celebrity television, Moakler has maintained a long-running connection to pageants. She now focuses on mentoring contestants, producing pageant events, and developing new media and business projects.

Shanna Moakler
Shanna Moakler

Age and Birthday

Shanna Moakler was born on March 28, 1975, in Providence, Rhode Island. She is 51 years old as of August 2026.

Her age should be updated by publication year, while her birth date remains a permanent detail. Older biography pages may still describe her as being in her 40s because they have not been refreshed.

Family Background

Moakler is the daughter of John W. Moakler III, a dentist, and Gail Moakler. She grew up with older siblings, including brothers Kirk and John IV and a sister named Michelle.

Her sister Michelle died in 2012. Moakler has spoken about her family and personal losses in interviews, but she generally keeps some family details private.

She has European ancestry, including German, Portuguese, and Irish heritage.

Education and Early Modeling Career

Moakler attended Barrington High School in Rhode Island. After graduation, she moved to Miami to pursue modeling before later relocating to New York and Los Angeles.

She began modeling at around 15 and entered the pageant world as a teenager. Her early experience in fashion and public appearances helped her develop the confidence and media skills that later shaped her television career.

She has appeared in magazines and worked with major entertainment brands. In December 2001, she was named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month. In a 2025 interview, she described her continuing connection with Playboy and discussed her interest in future projects connected with the brand.

Miss New York USA and Miss USA

Moakler represented Rhode Island in the Miss Teen USA competition in 1992. She later won the Miss Teen All American title in 1993.

In 1995, she won the Miss New York USA crown and represented New York at the Miss USA pageant in South Padre Island, Texas. She finished as the first runner-up behind Chelsi Smith.

When Smith went on to win Miss Universe, Moakler assumed the Miss USA title in May 1995. This made her one of the most recognizable pageant winners of the decade.

Her success also helped launch her entertainment career. After the pageant, she moved further into television and film and began building a public profile beyond competitions.

Acting and Hosting Career

Moakler made early television appearances in shows including Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Due South. She later appeared in Timecop and became a regular cast member on the USA Network drama Pacific Blue.

Her film credits include appearances in The Wedding Singer and Big Momma’s House 2. She also worked as a host and entertainment correspondent.

Other television projects connected to her career include:

  • Meet the Barkers.

  • Hollywood Exes.

  • Bridalplasty.

  • Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants.

  • Dancing with the Stars.

  • Red carpet coverage and entertainment specials.

Apple TV lists Pacific Blue, Hollywood Exes, and other projects among her notable television work.

Meet the Barkers

Moakler gained a larger reality television audience through MTV’s Meet the Barkers. The series followed her life with musician Travis Barker and documented their family and relationship.

The show helped introduce viewers to her life outside modeling and pageants. It also increased public interest in her family, career, and relationship with the Blink-182 drummer.

Celebrity Big Brother

In 2022, Moakler competed on the third season of Celebrity Big Brother. She entered the house alongside celebrities including Lamar Odom, Chris Kattan, Todd Bridges, Cynthia Bailey, Todrick Hall, and Mirai Nagasu.

Her background in reality television gave her experience with cameras and public scrutiny, but the Big Brother format required a different approach. Contestants must create alliances, manage disagreements, compete in challenges, and persuade others to keep them in the game.

Her time on the show added another reality television credit to a career that had already included several unscripted programs.

Pageant Career Today

Moakler has remained active in the pageant industry long after her own competition years ended. She has worked as an executive producer and director connected to the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Utah USA organizations.

Her role includes helping contestants prepare for competitions, supporting pageant production, and mentoring women who want to develop careers in public speaking, media, fashion, and entertainment.

In 2025, Moakler said that she continued to act, model, host, and work as an influencer. She also discussed writing eBooks designed to help women improve different areas of their lives.

Personal Life and Children

Moakler was married to Travis Barker from 2004 until their divorce in 2008. They share two children, Landon Asher Barker and Alabama Luella Barker.

Moakler also has a daughter, Atiana Cecilia De La Hoya, from her earlier relationship with former professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya. She has remained involved in Atiana’s life and has spoken publicly about the importance of family.

In 2024, Moakler began dating actor Greg Vaughan, according to published biographical information.wikipedia

She later discussed moving to Texas and enjoying a new chapter in her life. Because celebrity relationships can change, future updates should confirm her current status before describing her as married, engaged, or single.

Net Worth

There is no verified public figure for Shanna Moakler’s net worth. Online estimates that place her fortune at $15 million or another specific amount are not supported by publicly available financial records.

Her professional income has come from modeling, acting, television appearances, hosting, pageant work, production, social media, and business projects. Her personal finances remain private.

Instagram

Shanna Moakler uses the Instagram handle @shannamoakler. Her account includes family photos, personal updates, beauty and lifestyle content, entertainment appearances, and career-related posts.

Quick Facts

  • Full name: Shanna Lynn Moakler

  • Date of birth: March 28, 1975

  • Age: 51 in 2026

  • Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island

  • Nationality: American

  • Occupation: Actress, model, producer, host, and pageant executive

  • Pageant title: Miss New York USA 1995

  • Miss USA result: First runner-up, later became Miss USA

  • Known for: Pacific Blue, Meet the Barkers, Hollywood Exes, and Celebrity Big Brother

  • Former husband: Travis Barker

  • Children: Three

  • Current partner: Greg Vaughan, according to reports

  • Height: Approximately 5 feet 8 inches

  • Net worth: Not publicly verified

  • Instagram: @shannamoakler

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Shanna Moakler?

Shanna Moakler is an American actress, model, pageant winner, producer, and reality television personality.

What pageant did Shanna Moakler win?

She won Miss New York USA in 1995 and later became Miss USA after Chelsi Smith moved on to the Miss Universe competition.

How old is Shanna Moakler?

She is 51 years old as of August 2026. She was born on March 28, 1975.

Who was Shanna Moakler married to?

She was married to Travis Barker from 2004 to 2008. They share two children.

How many children does Shanna Moakler have?

She has three children: Atiana Cecilia De La Hoya, Landon Asher Barker, and Alabama Luella Barker.

What television shows has Shanna Moakler appeared in?

Her television credits include Pacific Blue, Meet the Barkers, Hollywood Exes, Bridalplasty, Dancing with the Stars, and Celebrity Big Brother.

Is Shanna Moakler still involved in pageants?

Yes. She has worked in executive and director roles connected to the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Utah USA pageants.

What is Shanna Moakler’s net worth?

Her net worth has not been verified through reliable public financial information.

About JM

J.M is an entertainment writer specializing in biographies of reality TV stars, musicians, sports figures, and entertainers from shows like The Voice, American Idol, Survivor, Big Brother, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, focusing on their careers, stories, and current projects.

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