Introduction
Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee (born January 8, 1971 in Pearl City, Hawaii), known as Brook Lee, is an American actress, TV Host, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 1997, Miss USA 1997, and Miss Universe 1997.
Personal life
Her Korean grandfather emigrated to Hawaii in the 1950s. She is of Korean, Hawaiian, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, English and French ancestry. Lee's mother, Toni, was president of Na Pua Ke Ali'i Pauhi, an alumni association of the school who petitioned the board for reforms.
Her Korean name is 이시내 (Lee Shi-nae).
Pageants
Miss USA 1997
Lee was crowned Miss Hawaii USA on her first try, then went on to participate in Miss USA 1997 at Shreveport, Louisiana on February 5, 1997, where she was crowned the winner by outgoing titleholder Ali Landry of Louisiana.
Miss Universe 1997
Lee represented the United States in the Miss Universe 1997 pageant in Miami Beach, Florida. On May 16, 1997, she won the crown at 26 years and 128 days, became the oldest Miss Universe to win.
Lee and Al Masini along with funding from the state were forces behind the Miss Universe 1998 pageant being held in her home state of Hawaii, in Honolulu, for the first time.
Immediately prior to winning the Miss USA and Miss Universe crowns Lee pursued graduate-level studies in communications at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She also attended University Lab School for one year, 1987–88. Lee graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1989. After her reign as Miss Universe she made several cameo appearances in movies and television shows, and has hosted many television shows in Asia and the United States. She is the host of a regional television show known as Pacific Fusion, which focuses on Asian-American lifestyles. She has also hosted episodes of Great Cruises on the Travel Channel.