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.
Miss Universe 1997 Lee represented the United States at the Miss Universe 1997 pageant in
Miami Beach, Florida. 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. Lee and
Al Masini, along with funding from the state, helped bring the
Miss Universe 1998 pageant to
Honolulu, Hawaii, for the first time. ==Career==