Long before Sofía Vergara became famous as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family, she was preparing for a career that had nothing to do with Hollywood. The Colombian-American star once dreamed of working in healthcare and eventually decided to study dentistry, believing it was “the next best thing” for her at the time. Vergara attended dental school for two years and spent countless hours studying the profession, although she jokingly admitted that she never actually examined a patient’s mouth. With only two semesters left before graduation, however, she made a life-changing decision. Vergara walked away from dentistry and turned toward modeling and acting—a choice that would completely reshape her future.

Her gamble paid off in a huge way. Vergara eventually became one of television’s most recognizable stars, earning multiple award nominations for her role on Modern Family and later becoming a judge on America’s Got Talent. Her success has also been celebrated in her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, where a bronze sculpture honoring her was unveiled on the Gran Malecón. The statue quickly became a talking point online, with some fans praising the tribute while others questioned its appearance. Still, having a public monument created in your honor is hardly an ordinary achievement. Looking back, Vergara’s decision to leave dental school may have seemed risky at the time, but it ultimately opened the door to the career that made her a household name.