Hubbry Logo
Brook LeeBrook LeeMain
Open search
Brook Lee
Community hub
Brook Lee
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Brook Lee
Brook Lee
Brook Lee
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee (born January 8, 1971) is an American beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Hawaii USA 1997, Miss USA 1997 and Miss Universe 1997. Lee was the first native Hawaiian to win the title of Miss Universe.[1]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Lee is of Chinese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, French, Dutch and English ancestry.[2] Her Korean grandfather emigrated to Hawaii in the 1950s. Lee's mother, Toni, was president of Na Pua Ke Ali'i Pauahi, an alumni association of the school that petitioned the board for reforms.[3]

Lee attended University Lab School for one year (1987–88) and graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1989.[4][5] She is a graduate of Chaminade University.[6] Lee also pursued graduate-level studies in communications at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.[5]

Her Korean name is Lee Shi-nae (이시내).[7]

Pageantry

[edit]

Miss USA 1997

[edit]
Main article: Miss USA 1997

Lee won Miss Hawaii USA, then went on to participate in Miss USA 1997 at Shreveport, Louisiana on February 5, 1997, and was crowned by outgoing titleholder Ali Landry of Louisiana.[4][8]

Miss Universe 1997

[edit]
Main article: Miss Universe 1997

Lee represented the United States at the Miss Universe 1997 pageant in Miami Beach, Florida.[9] Her national costume was a tropical themed dress with a flower in her hair. On May 16, 1997, she won the crown at 26 years and 128 days, becoming the oldest Miss Universe to win the crown at the time.[9][10][11]

Lee and Al Masini, along with funding from the state, helped bring the Miss Universe 1998 pageant to Honolulu, Hawaii, for the first time.[2][12]

Career

[edit]

"She is the host of KHON2’s “Modern Wahine Hawaii;” she is the co-host for the Podcast “It’s a Hawaii Thing;” and she dances hula at Halekulani’s “House Without a Key.” She also believes in service to the community, taking on the Artistic Director role with the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, where she produces the annual Lei of Stars installation of Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame inductees, and serves as the secretary for the nonprofit BEHawaii."[13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brook Lee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee (born January 8, 1971) is an American beauty queen, television host, actress, and dancer best known for winning the title, becoming the first and only Native Hawaiian to hold the crown as well as the first from the state of . Born in , to a family of mixed Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese Madeiran, Korean, English, and Irish ancestry, Lee graduated from the prestigious in . In 1997, at age 26, she achieved a historic triple crown by first winning Miss Hawaii USA 1997 on her debut attempt, followed by , and then in , where she was the seventh Miss USA winner to claim the international title and, at 26 years and 128 days old, the oldest victor up to that point. Her pageant journey culminated in a memorable final-question response during the Miss Universe competition, where she delivered a witty, culturally infused answer accompanied by a gesture, widely regarded as one of the most iconic moments in pageant history. After her reign ended, Lee leveraged her platform to bring the Miss Universe 1998 pageant to Honolulu, Hawaii, an event that generated tens of millions of dollars for the local economy and showcased Hawaiian culture globally. She transitioned into acting with guest appearances on television series such as Boy Meets World and The Nanny, and has since built a career in media as the host of KHON2's Modern Wahine Hawaii, a program highlighting women's challenges, achievements, and cultural contributions in the islands, which she continues to host and produce as of 2025. Lee is also a co-host on the podcast It's a Hawaii Thing and performs traditional hula at the Halekulani Hotel's House Without a Key venue as of 2025. In her personal life, she married film producer and writer Tory Mell on August 12, 2006, and the couple has two children, son Fynnegan and daughter Bailey.

Early life and education

Childhood and family

Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee was born on January 8, 1971, in Pearl City, Oahu, . She is of one-quarter Korean, seven-sixteenths Native Hawaiian, and one-eighth English descent. Her father, Benson Waldron Kealaokamalamalama Lee, was of mixed ancestry including one-half Korean, seven-sixteenths Native Hawaiian, and one-sixteenth . Her mother, Antoinette "Toni" Lee, was of Native Hawaiian ancestry along with Madeiran, English, one-sixteenth Chinese, and distant Irish roots. Lee was raised by her parents in a middle-class household in Pearl City, alongside two older brothers—one in business and the other a professional surfer. Her father passed away when she was 17 years old. The family emphasized Hawaiian cultural traditions, with her mother introducing her to in her early days as a pupil of kumu hula Ma'iki Aiu Lake. This upbringing instilled values of community involvement and pride in her diverse heritage, including Korean influences from her paternal grandfather who had emigrated to .

Academic background

Brook Lee received her early education in , attending for several years before transferring to Kamehameha Schools, a renowned institution founded to provide education for Native Hawaiian children. She completed her high school studies at Kamehameha Schools, graduating in 1989. Following high school, Lee enrolled at on a competitive and earned a degree in English in 1993. Her major in English focused on and writing, which developed her strong communication and expressive skills essential for her later public roles. Prior to entering the pageant world, Lee pursued graduate-level studies in communications at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, reflecting her academic interest in media and public expression. These studies aligned with her pre-pageant aspirations in and cultural , building on her undergraduate foundation in language and narrative.

Beauty pageants

Miss Hawaii USA 1997

After graduating from Chaminade University with a degree in English, Brook Lee decided to enter the pageant in her final year of eligibility, motivated by a desire for personal growth and to represent her Native Hawaiian heritage with pride. Although she had volunteered with the organization for two years and competed in the America system for four years prior, this marked her first attempt at the competition, encouraged by friends who saw her potential. Lee's preparation focused on honing skills essential to the pageant format, including and interview techniques, where her academic background in English proved advantageous for articulating thoughtful responses. As a professional dancer, she incorporated a traditional performance as her talent segment, emphasizing cultural authenticity and grace. Her training also covered poise for the and competitions, blending with the elegance required to showcase Hawaiian representation on stage. The 1997 competition took place in early 1997, featuring preliminary rounds and finals that highlighted contestants' poise, intelligence, and talents. Lee excelled particularly in the interview portion, which she later described as her "ace in the hole," advancing her through the rounds against highly competitive participants. In the swimsuit segment, she demonstrated confidence and athleticism; during the evening gown presentation, she conveyed sophistication; and her talent captivated audiences with its cultural depth. On a date in early 1997, Lee was crowned , succeeding the previous titleholder and earning the right to represent at the national level. This victory marked her transition from local volunteer to a prominent , serving as a pivotal first step toward broader recognition while spotlighting Native Hawaiian heritage in a state pageant often dominated by diverse influences. As the first Native Hawaiian to achieve such prominence in the competition, her win underscored cultural pride and inspired greater visibility for indigenous women in beauty pageants.

Miss USA 1997

Having won the title, Brook Lee advanced to represent her state at the national competition held on February 5, 1997, at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in . The event featured 51 contestants competing in preliminary rounds of , , and segments, where Lee earned high scores for her poised presentation and cultural authenticity, including a brief nod to her background from state pageant preparations. In the finals, Lee placed in the top 10 and advanced to the top 5, where her articulate response in the final question contributed to her victory, as she was crowned by predecessor of , becoming the fourth woman from to claim the national title—following Macel Wilson (1962), Tanya Wilson (1972), and Judi Andersen (1978)—and sparking widespread pride across the state. At the time of her win, Lee was 26 years and 28 days old, a relatively mature age among contestants, who are eligible up to 28. As Miss USA, Lee's immediate responsibilities included representing the at international pageants such as , making public appearances to promote American values, and advocating for Hawaiian cultural preservation and tied to her island heritage. The victory not only elevated Hawaii's visibility in national pageantry but also underscored the state's growing influence, with Lee receiving over $170,000 in prizes to support her advocacy work.

Miss Universe 1997

The 46th pageant took place on May 16, 1997, at the in , where , representing the as , competed against 81 other international delegates. Lee advanced through the preliminary rounds, including swimsuit and evening gown competitions, as well as the interview segment, ultimately reaching the top three finalists alongside and Miss Trinidad & Tobago. In the final question round, Lee was asked: "If there were no rules in your life for one day, and you could be outrageous, what would you do?" Her response—"I would eat everything in the world. You do not understand. I would eat everything twice"—delivered with humor and candor, was widely praised for its authenticity and relatability, resonating with judges and audiences alike. On May 16, 1997, outgoing of crowned as the new titleholder, marking the ' seventh . At 26 years and 128 days old, became the oldest winner in the pageant's at that time and the first Native Hawaiian to claim the crown. During her year-long reign from to , Lee traveled extensively to over 20 countries, promoting global unity and cultural exchange while fulfilling official duties. She advocated for , encouraging young people to pursue their dreams with kindness and cultural pride. A highlight of her tenure was co-hosting the pageant in , , which she helped bring to the state, generating tens of millions in economic impact and showcasing Hawaiian worldwide. Lee's victory holds lasting legacy as the only to win , breaking barriers for and Pacific Islanders in international pageantry and inspiring greater representation of indigenous and Asian American women on global stages.

Career

Television hosting and production

Following her success in the 1997 Miss Universe pageant, which provided initial media exposure, Brook Mahealani Lee began her television hosting career with guest appearances on popular American shows such as and in 1997. These early roles leveraged her pageant visibility to introduce her on-camera presence to broader audiences. In the early 2000s, Lee expanded internationally by hosting television programs in , where she honed her skills at Asia Network, aspiring to become a prominent figure in regional broadcasting. This stint allowed her to develop expertise in multicultural media production and on-air delivery tailored to n markets. Lee transitioned into production by founding Mahealani Moon Productions Ltd. in October 1998, serving as its CEO to create Hawaiian-themed content, events, and television projects. The company focuses on culturally resonant programming, emphasizing Native Hawaiian narratives and community events. Through this role and related endeavors, Lee serves as of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, producing annual events such as the Lei of Stars installation to preserve and promote Hawaiian music traditions. Among her notable hosting projects, Lee serves as the creator and host of KHON2's Modern Wahine Hawaii, a program highlighting women's challenges, achievements, and cultural contributions in , with episodes airing as recently as 2023. She also hosted the : I Believe event in 2009, bringing her pageant expertise to national audiences. She emceed events at , including ceremonial and academic gatherings. More recently, in 2025, she co-hosts the podcast It's An Island Thing alongside Lanai Tabura, featuring interviews with Hawaiian entertainers, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders on OC16. As of 2025, Lee's on-camera hosting continues through high-profile cultural events, such as her role as keynote speaker and emcee at the Global Leadership Conference in from April 3–5. This event gathered over 1,600 global entrepreneurs, highlighting her skills in inspirational storytelling and event facilitation.

Acting roles

Following her success as , Brook Mahealani Lee transitioned into entertainment with guest acting appearances on American television, leveraging her pageant visibility for brief scripted roles. Lee's television debut occurred on May 14, 1997, when she portrayed herself as in the episode "The Boca Story" of the sitcom , appearing alongside series regular in a storyline involving beauty queens and family dynamics. This role aired just days before her coronation, highlighting her immediate post-Miss USA prominence. Later that year, on November 7, 1997, Lee guest-starred as the "Dime-A-Dance Girl" in the episode "No Guts, No Cory" (Season 5, Episode 6), a time-travel fantasy segment set during where her character featured in a 1940s scene. This non-speaking cameo marked one of her few scripted performances outside pageant contexts. In 2009, Lee earned a producer credit on the short video Miss California USA: I Believe, a public service announcement featuring appearances by former titleholders including herself, , and , which promoted empowerment themes tied to the pageant organization. This project represented her involvement in entertainment production with performative elements, though her on-screen contribution was limited to a cameo. Lee's acting portfolio remains modest, consisting primarily of these early television cameos and the 2009 video appearance, with no major film or series roles documented beyond her initial post-pageant efforts.

Personal life

Marriage and children

Brook Lee married and Tory Mell on August 12, 2006. The couple has two children: a son named Fynnegan and a daughter named Bailey. Lee and Mell, both active in Hawaii's entertainment industry, have built a supportive partnership centered on their shared professional interests and family priorities. The family resides on Oahu, having relocated back from around 2020 to prioritize a closer connection to Hawaiian roots. Lee has described balancing motherhood with her career demands, such as travel for hosting and production work, by integrating family into her routine on the island, where she also performs and engages in local media projects.

Philanthropy and cultural contributions

Brook Lee has been actively involved in centered on Native Hawaiian cultural preservation and . As of the board for the Lei Poina'ole Project, she supports initiatives to revive and promote traditional lei-making as a vital Native Hawaiian cultural , connecting local flower farmers with artisans to sustain the industry's heritage. This volunteer role underscores her commitment to economic and cultural revitalization in , with the project having engaged over 26 farms by 2025 to bolster local production. In addition to her board service, Lee contributes to cultural performance and education through ongoing roles that highlight Hawaiian traditions. She performs as a hula dancer at the Halekulani Hotel's House Without a Key, a position she has held since the early 2000s and continues as of 2025, sharing the art form with visitors and locals alike to foster appreciation for Native Hawaiian . As Artistic Director for the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, she organizes annual events such as the Lei of Stars installation, which honors inductees and promotes Hawaiian as an integral part of Pacific Islander identity. Lee's advocacy extends to promoting Pacific Islander heritage via public platforms and networks. Through co-hosting the podcast It's a Hawaii Thing, she interviews community leaders and artists to celebrate Hawaiian culture and address contemporary issues facing Native communities, with episodes continuing into 2025. Drawing on her historic win as the first Native Hawaiian titleholder, she inspires discussions on cultural visibility. Complementing this, she advocates for in through hosting Modern Wahine Hawaii, a program showcasing female leaders and providing resources for personal and professional growth, which aired through at least 2023. In recent years, Lee has engaged in 2025 cultural forums, including speaking at the Global Leadership Conference in , where she discussed (family) and cultural unity in the context. She serves as an inspiration during Asian American and (AAPI) Heritage Month, with her achievement as the first Native Hawaiian frequently cited in events to underscore the contributions of indigenous women to American diversity.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1069637/
  2. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/10482824/where-are-they-now-hawaiis-miss-universe-brook-lee/
  3. https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/never-forget-when-miss-universe-brook-mahealani-lee-gave-the-best-pageant-answer-ever/
  4. https://ethnicelebs.com/brook-lee
  5. https://chaminade.edu/celebrity-emcee/
  6. https://www.khon2.com/living-808/brook-lee-talks-modern-wahine-hawaii/
  7. https://event.eonetwork.org/2025glc//learning-program/
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsf9cXXz9bs
  9. https://www.halekulani.com/events/hula-with-brook-lee-13/
  10. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1069637/bio/
  11. https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Brook_Lee
  12. https://livingarchives.halekulani.com/culture/magic-beside-the-sea/
  13. https://members.tripod.com/miss_universe/brooklee.html
  14. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/brook-lee.html
  15. https://www.pageantplanet.com/profile/brooke-lee
  16. https://www.behawaii.org/about
  17. https://archives.starbulletin.com/1997/02/06/news/story2.html
  18. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brook-lee-5a733411
  19. https://archives.starbulletin.com/1998/04/23/features/story1.html
  20. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-06-mn-26097-story.html
  21. https://www.pageantupdate.info/state-history/hawaii/
  22. https://www.upworthy.com/people-are-loving-the-genuine-answer-miss-usa-1997-gave-to-the-final-question-at-the-miss-universe-pageeant
  23. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/miss-universe-1997-brook-_2_b_5615899
  24. https://archives.starbulletin.com/2004/03/30/features/index.html
  25. https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/business.html?fileNumber=113532D1
  26. https://hmhof.org/about-us/
  27. https://oc16.tv/shows/it-s-an-island-thing
  28. https://www.instagram.com/p/DG7x-Aet6eu/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0657315/fullcredits/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0657315/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0530917/fullcredits/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0530917/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12220364/
  34. https://leipoinaoleproject.org/our-story
  35. https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/reviving-hawaiis-lei-industry-one-flower-at-a-time/
  36. https://itsahawaiithing.com/
  37. https://www.khon2.com/modern-wahine-hawaii/episode-501-maui-no-ka-%25CA%25BBoi/
  38. https://events.eonetwork.org/2025glc/learning-program/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.